[Alexlynn]

I'm currently doing a research project for my Gen. Chem. 2 class on sodium hypochlorite, and a lot of what I have to do requires Gen. Chem. 1 knowledge (It has been a long time since I have taken Chem. 1. Strangely enough, I haven't needed too much of it for this class!)

Sodium hypochlorite is NaClO. I have to identify the VSEPER shape, as well as one central atom. What would the shape and atom of this molecule be, and how do I determine the central atom? 
I also have to identify whether the molecule is polar or nonpolar. Would it be polar because Oxygen and Chlorine have a polar covalent bond? Do dipole moments exist between all three atoms and go towards the Oxygen atom? Also, I have to explain what the polarity means with "situations using the chemical" I don't really understand polarity, so I'm not sure how to explain what the molecule being polar means for it's use.
Thanks in advance for the help.