What's the difference between polar and non polar? (chemistry)?

Question

i just need a simple explanation of the difference.

thanx!

Answer 1

A polar compound has a distinct + and - ends; nonpolar compounds don't. This is as "simple" as it probably get with less chemistry

Answer 2

For bears, polar vs nonpolar is white vs black.

Ok. just kidding.

Almost all chemical bonds are polar.  In a polar bond there is a nonzero difference in electronegativities.  The degree of polarity in a bond is given by a value called the dipole moment.  For molecules which are asymetrical, the vector sum of the dipole moments gives a net dipole moment for the molecule, making it polar.

Even compounds with polar bonds can be nonpolar if they are symmetrical, and the sum of all the dipole moments cancel out.

Molecules without permanent dipoles can be temporarily polar.  This produces the intermolecular attraction called London dispersion forces.  All molecules are polarizable and make these temporary dipoles.  The more electrons a compound has and the greater its volume, the greater will be the polarizability, and the greter the London dispersion forces.

Answer 3

pisgah's answers is correct.

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