Why do polar and non polar molecules repel? - ProProfs Discuss
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Why do polar and non-polar molecules repel?

Why do polar and non-polar molecules repel?

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Asked by John Adney, Last updated: Nov 17, 2024

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9 Answers

L. Brett

L. Brett

Ask me anything!

L. Brett
L. Brett, Sales Manager, MBA, Detroit

Answered Jan 26, 2021

Polar molecules occur when there is an electronegativity difference between the bonded atoms. Nonpolar molecules occur when electrons are shared equally between a diatomic. There is no form of attraction between polar and nonpolar molecules.

Polar molecules attract only polar molecules, while nonpolar molecules attract nonpolar molecules. Polar molecules are bonded by dipole intermolecular forces of attraction. At the same time, nonpolar molecules are bonded by a force of attraction called dispersion force or London dispersion force.

London dispersion forces are weaker than the dipole forces. An example is when you are trying to mix oil and water together. Oil is a non-polar substance, while water is a polar substance. The mixture will be an immiscible liquid.

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C. Bernthal

C. Bernthal

Its kind of my job to give answers

C. Bernthal
C. Bernthal, Teacher, MA, P.hD, Seattle

Answered Jan 26, 2021

The three-part of the periodic table include the metalloids, metals, and nonmetals. The periodic table is a simple systematic way of classifying elements. Periodic tables are used in chemistry. Mendeleev (1869), a Russian scientist was the first to formulate the periodic law based on the relative masses of the element.

The metals are on the left-hand side of the table, except hydrogen. Although hydrogen acts as metal in its solid-state at ordinary temperature it is a gas. Properties of metals include high electrical and thermal conductivity, metallic luster, hard and high melting point.

The metalloids are in between the metals and nonmetals. There is a zig line toward the right side of the periodic table which acts as a border between the metals and nonmetals. Metalloids are also called semimetals.

Nonmetals are on the right side of the periodic table. Properties of the nonmetals include lack of metallic luster, poor conductors of heat, and high ionization energy, and are often liquid or gas at room temperature.

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B. Wright

B. Wright

Always excited to learn and talk about new topics

B. Wright
B. Wright, Analyst, MCA, Boston

Answered Jan 21, 2021


A polar molecule will be created when the bonded atoms have an electronegativity difference. A nonpolar molecule will occur when a diatomic molecule's atoms have an equal shared amount of electrons. A nonpolar molecule can also occur when a large molecule's polar bonds cancel each other.

They repel each other because the polar bonds cancel out the nonpolar bonds. Their relationship is similar to oil and vinegar, in which they do not mix together. It is important for these two to repel in organisms because organisms have both polar and non-polar molecules. They are found in parts of our bodies such as fatty acids and Triglycerides.

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R. Jones

R. Jones

Curious about the World

R. Jones
R. Jones, Student, Postgraduate, Calgary

Answered Jan 21, 2021

Polar molecules are created when there is an electronegativity difference between bonded atoms. Nonpolar molecules are created when atoms that are diatomic molecules will have the same amount of electrons that are shared equally.

Nonpolar molecules can also occur in another instance and that is when polar bonds that are large cancel. Due to the fact that they cancel each other out, they repel each other. The relationship between nonpolar and polar molecules is similar to the relationship of oil and vinegar, because they do not mix together.

These two are important to repel because organisms have them and they are found in parts of the body such as Triglycerides and fatty acids.

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D. Loukas

D. Loukas

Calculating, Processing, Integrating, Differentiating are what intrigues me the most in a very beautiful way.

D. Loukas
D. Loukas, Maths Professor, Diploma in Mathematics, Beverly hills, California

Answered Jan 18, 2021

Polar molecules occur when two atoms do not engage equally with electrons in a covalent bond and dipole forms. Part of the molecule brings small positive charges. The other part delivers small negative charges, occurring when there is a discrepancy between electronegativity or a table to predict whether atoms are likely to form polar covalent bonds when molecules share electrons.

In a non -polar bond, the electrons are evenly dispersed. In a covalent bond, there is no net charge across the molecule. An example of polar and non-polar bonds includes oil and water, which do not mix. Electronegativity is when one stronger atom will tug at another atom with higher electronegativity. Then it pulls the electrons in its direction since the atoms have a different electronegativity, the electrons are unevenly shared.

However, if you have atoms with the same strength and the same electronegativity, the electrons will not be pulled in one direction and will remain in the middle of the two atoms. Since there is no tugging, electrons are equally shared between the two atoms.

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D. gray

D. gray

Building buildings and building intelligence

D. gray
D. gray, Builder, Builder, Las Vegas

Answered Jan 14, 2021

One thing that you should remember is that polar and non-polar molecules will also have positive and negative ends. There are some items that are considered polar such as water. Then, there are also some objects that are non-polar and if you would try to mix the two, you will notice that they are not mixing well together.

Even if you would try to shake vigorously, they will still separate from each other because the molecules just repel each other. This is expected because if there are two positive ends that meet together, they will automatically repel. If positive and negative ends would meet, that is the time when they will attract each other.

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C. Perez

C. Perez

Just getting better day by day

C. Perez
C. Perez, Writer, Writer, Cleveland

Answered Jan 14, 2021

Polar and non-polar molecules are known to repel each other because of the way that they are arranged in items. Polar molecules will have the tendency to stay in between non-polar molecules which means that they will be even more separated from each other.

Remember that non-polar molecules will not have any chance to touch each other and the more that they are shown to polar molecules, the more that their separation will still begin to increase. Even if you would try to mix them together, you cannot expect that they will mix. You may try to determine if molecules are polar or non-polar by the way that they react with each other.

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H. Barnes

H. Barnes

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H. Barnes
H. Barnes, Unemployed, Barnes, Atlanta

Answered Jan 12, 2021

It is not that polar and non-polar molecules are repelling themselves; it is just that polar molecules are only attracted to polar molecules. Similarly, non-polar molecules are only attracted to non-polar molecules. That way, there is no way an attraction can occur between polar and non-polar molecules. Polar molecules are bonded by the dipole-dipole intermolecular force of attraction.

On the other hand, non-polar molecules are bonded by the intermolecular force of attraction known as dispersion force or London dispersion force. This force forms the weakest form of attraction between any molecules. This means London dispersion forces are weaker forces compared to dipole-dipole forces.

That said, you can now see why polar and non-polar molecules always repel. In fact, if they were to attract, the affection of polar molecules towards one another will cause them to repel non-polar molecules. This also explains why non-polar molecules do not dissolve in polar molecules, vice versa.

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E. Barnes

E. Barnes

But Can you play this?

E. Barnes
E. Barnes, Professional Gamer, Professional Gamer, Washington

Answered Jan 12, 2021

Polar and non-polar molecules usually repel each other because of the force of attraction between them. What usually happens is that cohesive forces between the two types of molecules are stronger than the adhesive forces. Also, it is a general rule that like attracts (dissolves) like. This means polar molecules will prefer to attract their likes than forming bonds with non-polar molecules.

Also, non-polar molecules will prefer to attract their likes than forming bonds with polar molecules. This is why when both molecules come together; they prefer to attract their likes, causing a repulsion to occur. An example is when you are trying to mix oil and water; the result is always an immiscible mixture.

Oil is a non-polar substance, and its molecules are more attracted to each other than they are to the molecules of water. However, you will have a miscible mixture if you add another polar substance like ethanol to water.

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