Which of the following is a polar molecule?

Which of the following is a polar molecule?
  1. $\mathrm{BF}_3$
  2. $\mathrm{SF}_4$
  3. $\mathrm{SiF}_4$
  4. $\mathrm{XeF}_4$

Solution

Symmetrical molecules are generally non-polar although they have polar bonds. This is because bond dipole of one bond is cancelled by that of the other. $\mathrm{BF}_3, \mathrm{SiF}_4$ and $\mathrm{XeF}_4$ being symmetrical as non-polar. $\mathrm{SF}_4$ is unsymmetrical because of the presence of a lone pair of electrons. Due to which it is a polar molecule.

Asked in: NEET 2013 (All India)

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