Carbon dioxide is a nonpolar molecule because

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A molecule is considered polar if its individual dipoles do not cancel out, creating a net dipole moment. In the case of carbon dioxide, the individual dipoles of the carbon-oxygen bonds are oriented in opposite directions (180° apart) from each other, therefore cancelling out the net dipole moment. As a result, carbon dioxide is a nonpolar molecule. It is important to note that just because the carbon-oxygen bonds are polar covalent does not mean that the molecule as a whole is polar.

Carbon Dioxide Is a Nonpolar Molecule Because