Why CO₂ is nonpolar
Carbon dioxide is nonpolar even though its C=O bonds are polar because:
Answer B: explanation for every choice
A
Oxygen is more electronegative than carbon, which makes each bond polar.
B
Correct. The two equal bond dipoles point in opposite directions and cancel.
C
Carbon in CO2 has no lone pairs.
D
CO2 has no hydrogen, so it cannot form hydrogen bonds with itself.
TakeawayMolecular polarity depends on bond polarity and geometry.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID cp48.