Name: Module Title:

Module No. 4 Relationship of Polarity of Molecules to its

Subject: Properties
Physical Science

Introduction

Have you noticed that oil and water don‟t mix together? And why do sugars melt easily in
water compared to black pepper powder? Have you ever tried boiling the same amount of water
and oil in two separate pans at the same temperature and noticed that the water bubbled and
produced steam first? Why do you think this is so? You have learned from the previous lesson
that the properties of molecules are related to their polarity. To understand the relationship, you
must be able to learn to identify the polarity of a molecule through their structure and
arrangement of ions and describe the force of attraction between the molecules. But how do you
relate the strength of attraction between the molecules to their observable properties? This
module will help you describe the relationship of molecular components and their properties. It
will help you understand why different substances have varying rate to which they boil and melt.

Objectives
After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. describe the relationship of polarity of a molecule to its solubility and miscibility,

2. explain the uses of different materials based on their properties and structures,

3. relate the solubility and miscibility of a molecule to its polarity,

4. identify the difference between the boiling and melting points of polar and nonpolar
molecules,

5. describe the relationship of polarity of a molecule to its boiling and melting point; and

6. understand why different substances have different boiling and melting points.

Learn About It

In the previous lesson, you have learned that Polarity refers to the physical properties of
compounds and that the polarity of a compound is determined by the difference in
electronegativity value of the bonded atoms and by the compound‟s molecular geometrical
shape. Polar molecules have asymmetrically shape because of uneven distribution of electrons
and have a relatively high difference in its electronegativity value (0.5 -1.8). On the other hand,
non-polar molecules have lesser difference in their electro negativities value (0 - 0.5) and are
more symmetrical in its molecular arrangement due to even distribution of electrons. The spatial
arrangement of atoms in a polyatomic molecule based on the Valence Shell Electron Pair
Repulsion (VSEPR) Theory determines the shape of a particle and is designed to minimize the
repulsion within a molecule.

Using the two concepts learned, classify the given compound in the table as polar or non-polar
based on their electronegativity values and molecular shape. Example:

In this module, we are going to relate the solubility of molecules to its polarity and provide a
real-life application of this relationship.
Activity 1

Write YES or NO whether or not the solution will dissolve when mixed together.
1. For each of the pair, describe what will happen when we mix the substances together?

2. What is/are the reason/s why some other solutions mix and do/doesn‟t mix together?

In the previous activity, you have learned that certain substances dissolve easily in water and
other substances don‟t. What property of molecules affect its combination?

Learn About It

WATER MOLECULE

Water is a chemical compound and polar molecule, which is liquid at standard temperature and
pressure. It has the chemical formula H2O, meaning that one molecule of water is composed of
two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. One important feature of the water molecule is its
polar nature. The water molecule forms an angle, with hydrogen atoms at the tips and oxygen at
the vertex. Since oxygen has a higher electronegativity than hydrogen, the side of the molecule
with the oxygen atom has a partial negative charge.

Hydrogen Bond between Two Water Molecules

SOLUBILITY is a property referring to the ability for a given substance, the solute, to
dissolve in a solvent. It ranges widely, from infinitely soluble such as sugar in water, to poorly
soluble, such as silver chloride in water. INSOLUBILITY is often applied to poorly soluble
compounds. Solubility often applies in solid solutes and liquid solvents.
 The process of dissolving called DISSOLUTION is relatively straightforward for covalent
substances (polar & non-polar substances). But what factors affects the solubility of
substances? Solubility is greatly affected by the molecules‟ polarity. Since polar molecules have
partially positive and partially negative portions, it will interact with another molecule following
the law of electrostatic attraction/repulsion. For example, in preparing a solution of water (polar
molecule) and salt (ionic substance with + & - ions, the molecules and ions will interact with
each other. Meaning, the sodium ion will be attracted to the partially negative portion of the
water molecule (Oxygen), in the same manner that the negative Chlorine ions are attracted to
the partially positive portion of the water (Hydrogen).
Due to this attraction, the positive ions (sodium) will be surrounded by the partially negative
oxygen ion in water and in the same manner; the negative ion (chlorine) will be surrounded by
the partially positive hydrogen ion in water.

To be able for solubility to occur, the substances should have the same polarity following the
concept of “LIKE DISSOLVES LIKE”. Thus, polar substances will dissolve in polar solvents and
non-polar substances will dissolve in non-polar solvents. This is due to the similarity of their
structure and distribution of ions in the molecules.

If you know the polarity of molecules, you can predict whether or not they will mix together to
form chemical solution. It‟s helpful to know which compounds are intermediate between polar
and non-polar because you can use them as an intermediate to dissolve a chemical into one.

MISCIBILITY refers to the ability of a liquid to completely dissolve in another liquid

solution. A distinct layer between two liquids will not form when you have a solution that is
labeled miscible. When a distinct layer does form in a mixed solution, this is called
IMMISCIBILITY. For example, a type of immiscible liquid is oil and water. When mixed together,
oil will essentially 'sit on top' of water, resulting in the formation of a very noticeable layer.
In chemistry, you can exploit this concept of forming a layer when you would like to tell the
difference between miscible and immiscible liquids. A water curve, called a MENISCUS, will
form when two liquids are immiscible. Thus, miscible liquids will NOT have a meniscus. This
diagram provides an illustration of this difference highlighting the presence (and absence) of a
meniscus.

HOMOGENOUS is a great term that should come to mind whenever you encounter the word
„miscible.‟ A solution that is homogenous only contains a single phase. In other words, when
you look at a homogenous solution, you will see a uniform composition of two (or more) liquids
mixed together. Thus, think of the term homogenous as a way to define miscibility. If you
happen to not be in a chemical laboratory when identifying the meniscus in a solution, there is
another way to qualitatively analyze whether or not your solution is miscible. Simply observe the
liquids being mixed. If you see the liquids separate from one another after mixing, you can
strongly conclude that the solution is immiscible.

Now, there is a great chemical explanation behind why two liquids can be miscible. This
explanation refers to the polarity of a liquid. Liquid solutions can be described as either non-
polar or polar substances. If two liquids possess similar polarities, they will form a homogenous
solution that will be miscible. For example, let‟s say you have two liquids both considered to be
polar. Because they are both polar, the desire to mingle and unite to form one solution will
occur.

When both liquid molecules are polar, then they can attract one another – which leads to mixing
(miscibility). When the molecular liquid is nonpolar, then the water molecules attract only one
another while ignoring the nonpolar liquid. The result is that the two liquids are immiscible.

For liquids we come to the conclusion that polar and polar liquids are miscible, polar and
nonpolar liquids are immiscible and, as an obvious extension, nonpolar and nonpolar liquids are
miscible. This observation leads to the often-said statement “like dissolves like”.

Nonpolar “tails” adhere to dirt on the skin. Polar groups are soluble in water and help lift the dirt
away from the skin.
Exercise!
Let’s apply what you have learned so far. Complete the paragraph by filling in the correct terms
in the sentences. Select from the choices enclosed in the parenthesis.
l. Complete the paragraph by filling in the correct terms in the sentences. Select from the
choices enclosed in the parenthesis. Write your answers in the blanks.
Solubility is greatly affected by the (1)______________________ (polarity/dissolution) of
the substances in the solution. The combined compounds should have
(2)___________________ (different/the same) characteristics following the rule of
(3)____________________ (opposite attracts/like dissolves like) for solubility to occur.
Therefore, a polar solute will most likely to dissolve in a (4) _____________ (polar/non-polar)
solvent and a (5)______________ (polar/non-polar) solute will dissolve in non-polar solvent. (6)
______________ (Solubility/Miscibility) refers to the ability of a liquid to completely dissolve in
another liquid solution. A distinct layer between two liquids will not form when you have a
solution that is labeled miscible. When a distinct layer does form in a mixed solution, this is
called (7) ______________(meniscus/hibiscus).
Il. Identify whether the pair of substances are soluble, insoluble, miscible or immiscible.
1. Oil and Water - ___________________________
2. Ethyl Alcohol and Water - ___________________________
3. Vinegar and Soy Sauce - ___________________________
4. Zonrox and Water - ___________________________
5. Oil and Rubbing Alcohol - ___________________________
6. Efficascent Oil and Water - ___________________________
7. Fabric conditioner and Water - ___________________________
8. Powdered juice and Water - ___________________________
9. Shredded Candle Wax and Water - ___________________________
10.Water and Coffee Powder -________________________________
Learn About It

Polar molecules have higher polarity compared to non-polar molecules because of its
molecular geometrical structure and distribution of electrons in the molecule. Polar molecules
have partially positive and negative ends. When two polar molecules are near each other, the
negative end of one molecule is attracted to the positive end of the other. The separation of
charges results in a strong force of attraction between the molecules. Since a higher polarity
means that the atom/molecule has a stronger negatively charged end and a stronger positively
charged end, this leads to greater interaction with other molecules. Thus, it‟s harder to pull apart
the atoms or molecules and requires a higher boiling point and melting point. On the other hand,
non-polar molecules do not have positive or negative ends. Between two neighboring nonpolar
molecules, the attraction is very minimal.

Based on the interaction of molecules, water is expected to have higher melting and boiling
points than carbon dioxide as reflected in the data presented in table 1.
Boiling point is the temperature at which liquids turn from a liquid to a gas. Boiling points can be
used to identify unknown liquids. Greater amount of head is needed to break the forces of
attraction of polar molecules compared to nonpolar ones. Generally, polar molecules have
higher boiling points than nonpolar molecules as observed in the example illustrated in table 2.

Polar and Nonpolar region in water is packed in a small molecule. The small water molecules
easily orient themselves with one another so as to maximize the effect of the hydrogen bond.
This leads to requiring higher energy to disrupt the IMF (H-bonding) thus leading to higher
boiling point.
Melting point is the temperature at which a material changes from a solid to a liquid form
(melts). Keep in mind that a material‟s melting point is the same as its freezing point. These are
just different terms for the same thing; it just depends on whether energy is being removed from
a substance (freezing) or if energy is being added to a substance (melting)
A nonpolar molecule such as BF3(Boron trifluoride) is symmetrical about the center of
the molecule, so the molecule has no positive or negative end. Each charge around the central
atom is balanced, and there is no overall polarity to one side of the molecule. The molecule is
nonpolar. Nonpolar molecules have only weak attractive forces for each other, so nonpolar
substances tend to have low melting points and boiling points.
In the presence of hydrogen bonding, it usually leads to a higher melting point. The
melting point of polar substances is higher than the melting point of non-polar substances with
similar size because they have relatively stronger force of attraction compared to nonpolar ones.
Greater amount of heat must be applied to break these forces. Therefore, in general, polar
molecules have higher melting points than nonpolar molecules as seen in table 3.

Exercise
Let‟s test your understanding of the lesson. Complete the paragraph below.
Water (H2O) has higher boiling point and melting point than Methane (CH4) because it
is a 1) _____________ (polar/nonpolar) molecule and this compound has stronger force of
attraction than nonpolar molecule because of the different arrangement of ions for both
molecules. Polar substances have 2)_______________ (higher/lower) polarity than nonpolar
substances which leads to greater interactions with other molecules making it harder to pull
apart and thus requires a 3)________________ (higher/lower) boiling and melting point. Non-
Polar molecules have 4)____________ (higher/lower) boiling and melting point compared to
polar substances because they don‟t have a positive or negative end therefore, they will have
5)_______________ (strong/weak) force of attraction with other molecules.

SUMMARY
● The temperature at which a substance transitions from a liquid to a gas is the
boiling point, while the temperature at which a material changes from a solid to a
liquid is the melting point (melts).
● Bear in mind that a material's melting point is the same as its freezing point.
● The word miscibility refers to a liquid solute's tendency to dissolve in a liquid
solvent. Solubility is a more general concept, but the ability of a solid solute to
dissolve in a liquid solvent is more commonly used.
● Miscible liquids are normally combined without restrictions, which means they are
soluble in all quantities.

Let’s Practice
Part A: Edmodo