Chemical Forums
Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: kissoftalons on August 29, 2005, 03:36:14 PM
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Identify the shape of HCN and characterize it as being polar or non-polar.
I know that HCN is straight (shape), but I'm not completely sure if its polar or non-polar. My guess is polar because the C-N has a has a higher electroneg. difference than the H-C part. Thus making it polar...but a previous worksheet with the same question has the answer non-polar written. Could someone confirm the answer?
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HCN should be polar.
H and C have different electronegativities. so there is a polar bond b/w H and C, with C more electronegative..
and the triple bond between C and N is polar too, with N more electronegative than C.
the overall polarity is -|------>
H-C---N
(partial + on H) (partial - on N)
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That was what I thought too. Thanks for the confirmation!
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NP