Polarity is a measure of the uneven distribution of electron density in a molecule. Molecules with polar bonds (bonds between atoms with significantly different electronegativities) and a non-symmetrical shape tend to be more polar.

Ethyl acetate (CH3COOCH2CH3) has a polar carbonyl group (C=O) and an oxygen atom with lone pairs of electrons, making it more polar than petroleum ether.

Petroleum ether, also known as ligroin, is a mixture of alkanes with varying chain lengths. Alkanes are nonpolar molecules because they consist of only carbon and hydrogen atoms with similar electronegativities.

Key Differences:

* Ethyl acetate: Polar carbonyl group, oxygen atom with lone pairs, more polar.

* Petroleum ether: Nonpolar alkanes, less polar.

Therefore, ethyl acetate is more polar than petroleum ether.