Question

Explain whether C2H3Cl is polar or non-polar and why? Explain how electronegativity is applied to the answer.

Answer 1

If we think of this molecule as a chain, the CH3 is on one end, Cl is on the other, with CH2 between. Cl has an EN (electronegativity) of 3.5, but C on the other end is 2.5 and H is 2.1 so there is a difference and that produces a polar molecule. There isn't that much difference so it may not be highly polar but that's the principle behind it.