Question

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, youd enter \h\ in the last column of the table. molecule or polyatomic ion polar or nonpolar? atom closest to negative side ch₂o polar nonpolar hi polar nonpolar sif₄ polar nonpolar

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze $CH_2O$

$CH_2O$ (formaldehyde) has a trigonal - planar geometry. Oxygen is more electronegative than carbon and hydrogen. The bond dipoles do not cancel out, so it is polar. The most electronegative atom is O, so the atom closest to the negative side is O.

Step2: Analyze HI

HI is a di - atomic molecule. Iodine is more electronegative than hydrogen. The bond dipole results in a polar molecule, and the atom closest to the negative side is I.

Step3: Analyze $SiF_4$

$SiF_4$ has a tetrahedral geometry. Although Si - F bonds are polar, the symmetry of the molecule causes the bond dipoles to cancel out, making it non - polar. So, there is no atom closest to the negative side.

Answer:

molecule or polyatomic ion	polar or nonpolar?	atom closest to negative side
HI	polar	I
$SiF_4$	nonpolar