Both water and carbon dioxide are molecules with three atoms. Why is one compound polar and the other is not?

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Both water and carbon dioxide are molecules with three atoms. Why is one compound polar and the other is not?

2007-06-22 02:57:15 · 2 answers · asked by Kerri L B 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry

2 answers

Because water is a freak of a molecule. If you look at it's structure, it is bent in a V. The top of the V where the hydrogen atoms are is therefore partially positive while the oxygen at the bottom of the V is partially negative.

2007-06-22 03:10:47 · answer #1 · answered by Michael C 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋

In carbon dioxide C is in center and High EA oxygen atoms are on the sides which cancel the effect of each other while in water O is in the center and and its molecular structure is not linear and oxygen atom make it polar.

2007-06-22 03:14:23 · answer #2 · answered by Muhammad I 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋