Which of the following molecules contains polar bonds but has a zero dipole moment?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The dipole moment is a vector quantity that depends on the magnitude and direction of the polar bonds in a molecule. In order for a molecule to have a zero dipole moment, the individual bond dipoles must cancel each other out. In molecule A and B, there is no cancellation of dipoles, so they have a non-zero dipole moment. In molecule D, the C-H bond dipoles cancel out, but the C-Cl bond is polar, so the molecule has a non-zero dipole moment. However, in molecule C, the C-O bond dipoles cancel out with the two S-O bond dipoles, resulting in a molecule with zero dipole moment despite the presence of polar bonds. Therefore, the best choice is C.

E is not a valid choice because it only contains two atoms and does not have any polar bonds.

Which of the Following Molecules Contains Polar Bonds but Has