Account for the following observation:
CO2 and H2O are both oxides.
However, H₂O is a polar molecule but CO₂ is not.
Answer (2)
Water (H2O) is a polar molecule due to its bent structure and the electronegativity differences of its atoms, causing a dipole moment. In contrast, carbon dioxide (CO2) is a linear molecule, resulting in an equal distribution of charges that cancels out its dipole moments, making it non-polar. Hence, the geometry and electron distribution lead to differing polarities in these oxides. ;
Water (H2O) is polar due to its bent shape and unequal charge distribution, while carbon dioxide (CO2) is non-polar because it has a symmetrical linear structure that cancels out its dipole moments. These differences in molecular geometry and charge distribution account for their differing polarities. Understanding these concepts helps explain why both substances behave differently despite being oxides.
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