Which statement best describes the polarity of CF_2Cl_2?

Question

1) Always polar.
2) Always non Polar
3)Depending on the arrangement of outer atoms, this molecule could be polar or nonpolar.

Answer 1

Answer 1 is best.

Dichlorodifluoroethene can come in the following isomers:

1,1 - dichloro - 2,2 - difluoroethene (polar)
cis -1,2 - dichloro - 1,2 - difluoroethene (slightly polar)
trans - 1,2 - dichloro - 1,2 - difluoroethene (non-polar)

The way you have written it in this question, you have described 1,1-dichloro -2,2- difluoroethene, which MUST be polar.

However, if the question asked about C2Cl2F2, then Answer 3 is best.

Answer 2

Always polar.

It's a bit tricky because of the geometry. Carbon adopts a tetrahedral alignment with four constituents. Some atoms, like PT can have a planar geometry with four constituents. Then the other atoms can be arranged to give the molecule a dipole of 0.

Answer 3

always polar