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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: disruptive on May 16, 2009, 10:13:59 AM

Title: apolar, polar and non-polar
Post by: disruptive on May 16, 2009, 10:13:59 AM

Can someone please underline the fundamental difference between these three. They all make sense independently, but I am confused about the difference between apolar and non-polar. They seem to be used interchangeably..

Thanks in advance.

Title: Re: apolar, polar and non-polar
Post by: Astrokel on May 16, 2009, 10:30:26 AM

I have always thought apolar is another word for non-polar. What is your definitions of the two?

Title: Re: apolar, polar and non-polar
Post by: StarvinMarvin on May 16, 2009, 10:34:49 AM

apolar and non-polar means the same. Maybe you got confused with aprotic and protic :)

Polar means that there is a net dipole moment of the structure which can be explained as one charge being concentrated somewhere along one one of the structure whereas the other charge would be located at the opposite end (examples: water, methanol, acetone). Non-polar or apolar compounds do not have a net dipole moment (for instance, n-hexane).

Does that answer your question?