In terms of structure and/or distribution of charge, why is CO2 a nonpolar molecule?

1 Answer
Dec 31, 2016

Because the vector sum of the indvidual bond dipoles is ZERO.......

Explanation:

Polarity reults from the geometric sum of the individual bond dipoles. For the δ+C=Oδ bond there is some polarity, some charge separation. However, this polarity is precisely balanced by geometric summation with the other δO=Cδ+ dipole, on the other side of the molecule. And thus carbon dioxide is a non-polar molecule.

On the other hand, for the carbon monoxide molecule, CO+, there is necessairly some degree of molecular polarity.