Which of the following molecules has a zero dipole moment?
Correct answer: D. CCl4
- A. H2O
- B. NH3
- C. HCl
- D. CCl4
Explanation
Tetrachloromethane has four polar carbon to chlorine bonds arranged symmetrically about the central carbon, so the four dipoles cancel exactly and the molecule is non polar overall. Water and ammonia are bent and pyramidal respectively, so their dipoles reinforce, and hydrogen chloride is a simple polar diatomic. Symmetry is the property to look for in this type of question.
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About Dipole Moment
Dipole moment measures the separation of positive and negative charge in a bond or molecule, with magnitude related to charge and distance, μ = q r. Questions distinguish polar bonds from polar molecules by considering bond direction, molecular geometry and whether individual bond moments cancel through symmetry.
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