Questions: Consider the following structure of naphthalene, a substance used to make mothballs. Select the statement(s) that describe the molecule's geometry, and whether or not it has a net dipole moment. Check all that apply. The carbon atoms are sp^2 hybridized and the molecule is planar. The carbon atoms are sp^3 hybridized and the molecule is planar. The molecule is not polar. The carbon atoms are sp^3 hybridized and the molecule is not planar. The molecule is polar. None of the above.

Consider the following structure of naphthalene, a substance used to make mothballs.

Select the statement(s) that describe the molecule's geometry, and whether or not it has a net dipole moment. Check all that apply.
The carbon atoms are sp^2 hybridized and the molecule is planar.
The carbon atoms are sp^3 hybridized and the molecule is planar.
The molecule is not polar.
The carbon atoms are sp^3 hybridized and the molecule is not planar.
The molecule is polar.
None of the above.
Transcript text: Consider the following structure of naphthalene, a substance used to make mothballs. Part 1 of 3 Select the statement(s) that describe the molecule's geometry, and whether or not it has a net dipole moment. Check all that apply. The carbon atoms are $s p^{2}$ hybridized and the molecule is planar. The carbon atoms are $s p^{3}$ hybridized and the molecule is planar. The molecule is not polar. The carbon atoms are $s p^{3}$ hybridized and the molecule is not planar. The molecule is polar. None of the above.
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Solution

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Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the Hybridization of Carbon Atoms
  • Naphthalene consists of two fused benzene rings.
  • Each carbon atom in a benzene ring is sp² hybridized.
  • Therefore, the carbon atoms in naphthalene are also sp² hybridized.
Step 2: Determine the Planarity of the Molecule
  • Benzene rings are planar due to the sp² hybridization of carbon atoms.
  • Since naphthalene consists of two fused benzene rings, it is also planar.
Step 3: Assess the Polarity of the Molecule
  • Naphthalene is a symmetric molecule with an even distribution of electron density.
  • This symmetry results in no net dipole moment, making the molecule non-polar.

Final Answer

  • The carbon atoms are sp² hybridized and the molecule is planar.
  • The molecule is not polar.
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