Question

Which of the following is a polar molecule?

• A. \( \) O\(_2\)
• B. \( \) H\(_2\)
• C. \( \) N\(_2\)
• D. \( \) HCl

Hint:

Polar molecules have a permanent dipole moment, while non-polar molecules have symmetric electron distribution with no dipole moment.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Polar molecules have a permanent dipole moment due to the unequal sharing of electrons between atoms in the molecule, leading to a positive and a negative end. 

Step 2: Among the options, HCl is a polar molecule because chlorine is more electronegative than hydrogen, which causes an uneven distribution of electron density, creating a dipole moment. The other molecules (O\(_2\), H\(_2\), N\(_2\)) are non-polar because the electron distribution is symmetric in these molecules.