MOLECULAR POLARITYFIELD NOTE 16 / 175
Is C2H2 polar or nonpolar?
C2H2 is a nonpolar molecule because its linear geometry places identical C–H bonds at opposite ends, causing all dipoles to cancel.
Acetylene · linear
The molecule in space
Drag to turn the molecule. Show angles to read the model geometry.
01 / MODEL RECORDPubChem 3D coordinates. Atom sizes and bond thickness are illustrative.How model data is used ↗
Why C2H2 is nonpolar
Acetylene is a linear molecule with a C≡C triple bond and one hydrogen on each carbon. The small C–H bond dipoles point in exactly opposite directions and cancel out.
What to notice
The C≡C bond joins identical atoms, while the two terminal C–H bonds occupy opposite ends of the straight molecule.
Common questions about C2H2
- 01
What does the Lewis structure of C2H2 show?
The connectivity is H–C≡C–H: the carbon atoms share a triple bond, and each carbon makes one C–H single bond.
- 02
What is the molecular geometry of C2H2?
C2H2 has a linear molecular geometry. The 3D model shows representative bond angles of 180°. These angles come from the displayed model coordinates.
- 03
What is the molar mass of C2H2?
C2H2 has an approximate molar mass of 26.04 g/mol, calculated from its formula using abridged standard atomic weights. Natural isotope variation can change the last digits.