Question 18 5 pts Is SO
a polar or nonpolar molecule and what type of covalent bonds would you expect for SO
? Ononpolar molecule, polar covalent bonds polar molecule, nonpolar covalent bonds Opolar molecule, polar covalent bonds Ononpolar molecule, nonpolar covalent bonds
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
Polar molecule, polar covalent bonds
Explanation
The molecule SO (sulfur monoxide) is a polar molecule with polar covalent bonds. Here’s why:
1. Electronegativity Difference and Bond Polarity:
Sulfur (S) has an electronegativity of approximately 2.58, while oxygen (O) has an electronegativity of about 3.44. The difference between these values is around 0.86, which indicates a polar covalent bond. Polar covalent bonds occur when electrons are shared unequally between atoms due to differences in their electronegativities. In the SO bond, oxygen pulls the shared electrons closer to itself, making one end of the bond slightly negative (O) and the other slightly positive (S).
2. Molecular Geometry and Dipole Moment:
SO is a diatomic molecule, meaning it consists of only two atoms. Since the bond is polar and the molecule is linear (there’s no geometric cancellation of dipoles), the molecule itself is also polar. The dipole moment does not cancel out in a diatomic molecule with different atoms because there’s only one bond — so the molecule as a whole has a dipole.
3. Bond Type:
The SO molecule contains a double bond, and more specifically, it often exhibits resonance where one structure may have a double bond and another with partial triple bond character due to delocalization of electrons. This complexity increases the polarity but does not change the type of bond from polar covalent to something else.
4. Chemical Implications:
Because SO is polar and has polar covalent bonds, it tends to be reactive and can interact well with other polar substances. This also explains why SO is not commonly found in large amounts in stable environments—its polarity contributes to its reactivity.
Conclusion:
Sulfur monoxide (SO) is a polar molecule with polar covalent bonds due to the significant difference in electronegativity between sulfur and oxygen and the asymmetrical distribution of charge within the molecule.
