* The Structure of Alcohol: Alcohol molecules contain a hydroxyl group (-OH). The oxygen atom in this group is highly electronegative, meaning it attracts electrons more strongly than the carbon and hydrogen atoms.

* Electronegativity Difference: This difference in electronegativity creates a partial negative charge (δ-) on the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge (δ+) on the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl group.

* Polar Bonds: The bond between oxygen and hydrogen is a polar covalent bond due to this uneven distribution of electron density.

* Overall Polarity: While the C-H bonds in the alcohol molecule are nonpolar, the polar O-H bond dominates, making the entire alcohol molecule polar.

Key takeaway: The presence of the polar hydroxyl group makes alcohol a polar molecule.