What is a simple way to identify a polar compound & nonpolar cmpd? (trying to tell if dipole forces present)?

Answer 1

Yes. You consider each BOND polarity to be a vector in a three-dimensional coordinate system.

For a tetrahedron, for example, CCl4, the carbon is at (0,0,0) and the chlorines are at (1,1,1), (-1,1,-1), (-1,-1,1) and (1,-1,-1).
Add 'em up, you get (0,0,0). No net dipole. Take one of them away (as in ammonia) and you do get a net vector. Ammonia has a dipole moment.

Answer 2

A polar compound will usually dissolve in water. A non-polar compound won't. That is the simplest test I can think of, but it's not the most accurate.