Cf4 has polar bonds but yet is a non-polar molecule?

Question

CF4 has polar bonds but yet why is it a non-polar molecule overall?

Answer 1

All of the bonds counteract one another so the sum is neutral. Think of it as a tug-of-war with equal forces

Answer 2

The polarity of a molecule is determined by the shape of the molecule, either symmetry or asymmetry. If a molecule has a symmetry shape, then it is a non-polar molecule. If a molecule has an asymmetrical shape, then it can either be a polar or very polar molecule(depending on the polarity of the bonds in the molecule). In your case, CF4 has a symmetrical tetrahedral shape. Therefore the dipole moment is equivalent to zero/ the electrons are shared equally - hence, CF4 is a non-polar molecule although it has 4 C-F polar bonds.

Answer 3

Each C-F bond has its own dipole, however in a symmetrical molecule like CF4, the dipoles are aligned in such a way that the net molecular dipole is zero. Hence, the molecule is non-polar. The same is true for CH4, CCl4, etc.