Question detail
Which of the following molecular shapes would likely lead to bond dipoles cancelling?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Bonding
Question
- A. Bent
- B. Trigonal pyramidal
- C. Tetrahedral
- D. Linear
Answer
Linear
Explanation
In a linear molecular shape, the bond dipoles are oriented in opposite directions and can cancel each other out, resulting in a non-polar molecule. This illustrates the learning objective of using molecular shape to determine dipole cancellation.
Common mistake
Bond Dipole Cancellation
Students often incorrectly assume that if a molecule has polar bonds, it must be a polar molecule without considering its shape.
To determine if bond dipoles cancel, first identify the molecular shape. Use the VSEPR theory to predict the shape based on electron pair repulsion. If the shape is symmetrical, the dipoles may cancel out, resulting in a non-polar molecule. For example, in carbon dioxide (CO2), the linear shape leads to cancellation of dipoles, making it non-polar.
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