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  • Polarity of CH₄ and CH₃Cl: A VSEPR and Lewis Structure Analysis
    CH₄

    * Lewis structure: H-C-H

    * VSEPR shape: tetrahedral

    * Polarity: nonpolar

    CH₃Cl

    * Lewis structure: H-C-Cl

    * VSEPR shape: tetrahedral

    * Polarity: polar

    Explanation:

    In CH₄, the four hydrogen atoms are arranged symmetrically around the carbon atom. This means that the electronegativity of the hydrogen atoms cancels out, and the molecule is nonpolar.

    In CH₃Cl, the chlorine atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms. This means that the electrons in the C-Cl bond are pulled towards the chlorine atom, creating a polar bond. The molecule as a whole is also polar, because the positive end of the C-Cl bond is closer to the chlorine atom than the negative end.

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