Questions: Decide whether each molecule or polyatomic ion is polar or nonpolar. If the molecule or polyatomic ion is polar, write the chemical symbol of the atom closest to the negative side. For example, if the molecule were HCl and you decided the hydrogen atom was closest to the negative side of the molecule, you'd enter " H " in the last column of the table. molecule or polyatomic ion polar or nonpolar? atom closest to negative side --------- CH2O polar nonpolar Cl2 nolar nonpolar SiF4 polar nonpolar

Decide whether each molecule or polyatomic ion is polar or nonpolar.
If the molecule or polyatomic ion is polar, write the chemical symbol of the atom closest to the negative side. For example, if the molecule were HCl and you decided the hydrogen atom was closest to the negative side of the molecule, you'd enter " H " in the last column of the table.

molecule or polyatomic ion  polar or nonpolar?  atom closest to negative side
---------
CH2O  polar nonpolar  
Cl2  nolar nonpolar  
SiF4  polar nonpolar
Transcript text: Decide whether each molecule or polyatomic ion is polar or nonpolar. If the molecule or polyatomic ion is polar, write the chemical symbol of the atom closest to the negative side. For example, if the molecule were HCl and you decided the hydrogen atom was closest to the negative side of the molecule, you'd enter " H " in the last column of the table. molecule or polyatomic ion | polar or nonpolar? | atom closest to negative side ---|---|--- $\mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{O}$ | polar nonpolar | $\square$ $\mathrm{Cl}_{2}$ | nolar nonpolar | $\square$ $\mathrm{SiF}_{4}$ | polar nonpolar | $\square$
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Solution

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Solution Steps

Step 1: Determine the Polarity of $\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{O}$

Formaldehyde ($\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{O}$) has a trigonal planar structure with a central carbon atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The oxygen atom is more electronegative than carbon and hydrogen, creating a dipole moment towards the oxygen atom. Therefore, $\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ is polar.

Step 2: Identify the Atom Closest to the Negative Side in $\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{O}$

Since oxygen is more electronegative, it will be the atom closest to the negative side in $\mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{O}$.

Step 3: Determine the Polarity of $\mathrm{Cl}_{2}$

Chlorine gas ($\mathrm{Cl}_{2}$) consists of two identical chlorine atoms sharing electrons equally. There is no difference in electronegativity, so $\mathrm{Cl}_{2}$ is nonpolar.

Step 4: Determine the Polarity of $\mathrm{SiF}_{4}$

Silicon tetrafluoride ($\mathrm{SiF}_{4}$) has a tetrahedral structure with a central silicon atom bonded to four fluorine atoms. Although fluorine is more electronegative than silicon, the symmetrical tetrahedral shape causes the dipole moments to cancel out. Therefore, $\mathrm{SiF}_{4}$ is nonpolar.

Final Answer

\[ \begin{array}{|c|c|c|} \hline \text{molecule or polyatomic ion} & \text{polar or nonpolar?} & \text{atom closest to negative side} \\ \hline \mathrm{CH}_{2}\mathrm{O} & \text{polar} & \boxed{\mathrm{O}} \\ \hline \mathrm{Cl}_{2} & \text{nonpolar} & \boxed{\text{N/A}} \\ \hline \mathrm{SiF}_{4} & \text{nonpolar} & \boxed{\text{N/A}} \\ \hline \end{array} \]

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