I saw someone else ask this question and I cant understand why it was answered as being polar (although I dont doubt it!). The electonegativities of Nitrogen and chlorine are both 3.0. Why would this structure become polar? I am assuming that the 3 Cl atoms are bonded through 3 bonds to the nitrogen.
2007-03-23 07:30:10 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
John M is correct. The pair of unbonded electrons on N make the molecule shape (geometry) tetrahedral. Imagine a cloud of electrons 'above' the N and the three equally bonded chlorine atoms as a tripod 'below' the N.
Determining polarity depends on two key factors: electronegativity differences of bonding atoms AND geometry. Hopefully you have a molecule kit that you can use to help you see the geometry part of the story.
2007-03-23 07:44:45 · answer #1 · answered by teachbio 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The nitrogen has a lone pair affecting the shape of the molecule. The lone pair is what makes the molecule polar.
2007-03-23 07:35:34 · answer #2 · answered by JOhn M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋