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 ch4 polar nonpolar cl2 polar nonpolar ocs polar nonpolar

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze $CH_4$

$CH_4$ has a tetrahedral geometry. The electronegativity difference between C and H is small and the molecule is symmetric, so it is non - polar.

Step2: Analyze $Cl_2$

$Cl_2$ is a diatomic molecule with two identical atoms. There is no electronegativity difference, so it is non - polar.

Step3: Analyze OCS

In OCS, oxygen is the most electronegative atom. The molecule is linear but due to the difference in electronegativity (O > C > S), it is polar and oxygen is closest to the negative side.

Answer:

molecule or polyatomic ion	polar or nonpolar?	atom closest to negative side
$Cl_2$	nonpolar
OCS	polar	O