The Structure and Properties of Matter

Lesson 3.2 The Properties of a Molecule Based on Its

Polarity
Objective
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to relate the
polarity of a molecule to its properties.
Why is sucrose (table sugar) soluble in water?
 
 In the previous lesson, you have learned that both sucrose
and water are polar molecules.
 In this lesson, you will continue to learn about polar and
nonpolar molecules. But this time, you will relate the
polarity of the molecules to their observable properties.
Learn about it!
 The properties of the molecules are related to their polarity.
To understand the relationship, you must be able to
describe the force of attraction between the molecules.
 Polar molecules have partially positive and negative ends.
When two polar molecules are near each other, the negative
end of one molecule is attracted to the positive end of the
other. The separation of charges result in a strong force of
attraction between the molecules.
 On the other hand, nonpolar molecules do not have
positive or negative ends. Between two neighboring
nonpolar molecules, the attraction is very minimal.

How do you relate the strength of attraction between the

molecules to their observable properties?
Solubility
 Do you remember the rule of thumb “like dissolves like” in
your previous Chemistry lessons? This rule is applied on
the concept of solubility of molecules. Polar solutes
dissolve in polar solvents. For example, sucrose is soluble
in water because both of them are polar molecules. On the
other hand, nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents.
For example, hexane (C6H14) and benzene (C6H6) are
nonpolar molecules because they only contain nonpolar C-
H bonds. The combination of these molecules form a
solution.
Melting point
 Melting point is the temperature at which a solid turns into
liquid. Heat is needed to break the forces of attraction
between the molecules. Because the polar molecules have
relatively stronger forces of attraction compared to
nonpolar ones, greater amount of heat must be applied to
break these forces. Therefore, in general, polar molecules
have higher melting points than nonpolar molecules.
For example, hydrogen fluoride (HF) is polar while
fluorine (F2) is nonpolar. HF has higher melting point than
F2.
Boiling point
 Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid turns into
gas. Similar to melting point, greater amount of heat is
needed to break the forces of attraction of polar molecules
compared to nonpolar ones. Generally, polar molecules
have higher boiling points than nonpolar molecules. For
example, methanol (CH3OH) is a polar molecule while
methane (CH4) is nonpolar. The boiling of CH3OH is higher
than that of CH4.
Example
 Study the illustrations below to compare a polar and a
nonpolar molecule.
 Water molecules are polar. The partially negative end of
one molecule is attracted to the partially positive end of
another molecule.
 Carbon dioxide molecules are nonpolar. There is a
minimal force of attraction between the molecules.
 Based on the interaction of molecules, water is expected to have higher
melting and boiling points than carbon dioxide.
 Below are the actual melting and boiling points of the
compounds.

Try it!
 Predict which has higher boiling point, water or corn oil.
 Place a cup of water in a beaker or a pan. Then heat it
using a hot plate or stove. Place a thermometer in the
liquid and record the temperature at which it starts to boil.
Repeat the experiment, but this time, use corn oil instead
of water.
Is your prediction correct?
Explain the results of your experiment.
 
Tips
 Molecular weight is also a factor in assessing the melting
and boiling points of molecules. For example, carbon
monoxide (CO) is a polar molecule. However, it has a
lower boiling point (−191.5OC) compared to hexane (BP of
C6H14=68OC) because its molecular weight is much lower.
You will learn more about this in the next lessons.
What do you think?
Why is ethanol (C2H6O) soluble in water? What products in
the market use the solution of ethanol and water?
Key Points
 Polar molecules have stronger attractive forces compared
to nonpolar molecules.
 In general, polar molecules have higher boiling and
melting points compared to nonpolar ones.
 “Like dissolves like.” Polar solutes dissolve in polar
solvents while nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar
solvents.
Test Questions
1. Which of the following properties affects the melting and
boiling points of molecules?
A. color
B. volume
C. polarity
D. mass
2. Which of the following refers to the temperature at which
a solid turns into a liquid?
A. boiling point
B. melting point
C. solubility
D. polarity
3. Which of the following is insoluble in water?
A. sucrose
B. isopropyl alcohol
C. benzene
D. ammonia
4. Which of the following refers to the temperature at which
a liquid turns into a gas?
A. boiling point
B. melting point
C. polarity
D. solubility
5. Water and oil will not mix because water is _____, and
oil is_____.
A. polar ; nonpolar
B. nonpolar ; polar
C. polar ; polar
D. nonpolar ; nonpolar
6. Which of the following is soluble in water?
A. C2H6
B. CH4
C. HCl
D. C6H14
7. Choose the pair that will not form a solution.
A. water and sugar
B. water and ammonia
C. water and alcohol
D. water and margarine
8. Which of the following substances has the highest
boiling point?
A. ethane, C2H6
B. carbon dioxide, CO2
C. isopropyl alcohol, C3H8O
D. carbon tetrachloride, CCl4
9. Which of the following will happen when octane (C8H18)
and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) are heated separately at the
same time?
A. Octane will boil at a lower temperature than sulfuric
acid.
B. Octane will boil at a higher temperature than
sulfuric acid.
C. Octane and sulfuric acid will boil at the same
temperature.
D. Octane will not boil, but sulfuric acid will.
 Refer to the structure of citric acid below.

10. Which of the following will happen when citric acid is

mixed with water in a container?
A. The citric acid will dissolve in water.
B. A citric acid layer will float on top of the water layer.
C. A water layer will float on top of the citric acid layer.
D. The citric acid will crystallize and settle at the bottom of
the container.