Why is methane non-polar whereas chloromethane is polar?
Methane, or CH4, is a non-polar molecule, while chloromethane, or CH3Cl, is polar. Although both these molecules are made up of the same number of atoms and same type of bonds, they have different properties because of several interrelated effects caused by the strength of individual atoms.Carbon, Hydrogen and ChlorineWith four valence electrons, carbon (C) is ideal for forming bonds. Likewise, hydrogen (H) also wants to bond to other atoms, having only one valence electron. Chlorine (Cl), by contrast, has seven valence electrons, requiring only one additional electron to stabilize the atom.Types of BondsThere are two types of bonds that atoms form to create molecules. Ionic bonds consist of one atom giving up electrons to another atom, and then the two atoms are attracted to one another by their opposite charges. Covalent bonds are formed when two atoms share electrons, though it does not mean they do so equitably.Covalent Bonds Form Polar MoleculesWhen two atoms share electrons in a
