question_answer 89)

  Explain why is O = C = O non polar while R?O?R is polar.

Answer:

                  is a linear molecule. The dipole moments of the two C = O bonds being equal and opposite cancel out each other and hence  is a non-polar molecule. In contrast, in R?O?R molecule, the two dipoles of the R?O bonds are inclined to each other at angle of 110° i.e, the two dipoles do not cancel out and hence have a finite resultant. In other words, R?O?R is a polar molcule.