Question

The carbon dioxide molecule is linear. The electronegativities of $C$ and $O$ are $2.5$ and $3.5$ respectively. Based on these values and on consideration of molecular geometry, the $C-O$ bond is...... and the molecule is......

• A. Polar; polar
• B. Non-polar; non-polar
• C. Polar; non-polar
• D. Non-polar; polar

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

Based on (electronegativity) difference $(C-O)$
bond is polar. But dipole moment of one $(C-O)$
side is compensated by that of other $(C-O)$ side
${\mu }_{\text{Total }}={\vec{\mu }}_1+{\vec{\mu }}_2$
$={\vec{\mu }}_1+{\vec{\mu }}_2=0$