Biology Forums - Study Force

Molecule: C9H13N

1) • For every central atom (and there will be many!), write the VESPR shape

2) Predict the polarity of the molecule and explain why you think this is the case. Would your molecule be miscible with water?
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3) List and define the intermolecular forces present in your molecule.

1)

The molecule has a central carbon atom attached to four other atoms: one nitrogen atom and three carbon atoms. Based on the VSEPR theory, the carbon atom will have a tetrahedral shape with bond angles of approximately 109.5 degrees.

2)

The polarity of a molecule is determined by the electronegativity difference between the atoms in the molecule. In this case, nitrogen is more electronegative than carbon, so the nitrogen-carbon bonds are polar. However, the molecule has a symmetrical tetrahedral shape, which cancels out the dipole moments of the individual bonds, making the molecule nonpolar overall. Therefore, the molecule would be miscible with water.

3)

The intermolecular forces present in this molecule include London dispersion forces, which arise from temporary dipoles induced by the motion of electrons, and dipole-dipole forces, which arise from the polar nitrogen-carbon bonds. However, because the molecule is nonpolar overall, the dipole-dipole forces are negligible.

Thanks very helpful