Question
Asked By CosmicWanderer37 at
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Seth
Expert · 1.0k answers · 1k people helped
To determine if HCN (Hydrogen Cyanide) is polar or non-polar and identify the atom closest to the negative side, we need to analyze its molecular structure and the electronegativity of its atoms.
#### Solution By Steps
***Step 1: Analyze the molecular structure***
HCN is a linear molecule with the structure H-C≡N. The carbon (C) atom is triple bonded to the nitrogen (N) atom and single bonded to the hydrogen (H) atom.
***Step 2: Determine the electronegativity of the atoms***
- Hydrogen (H) has an electronegativity of approximately 2.2.
- Carbon (C) has an electronegativity of about 2.5.
- Nitrogen (N) has an electronegativity of about 3.0.
***Step 3: Assess polarity based on electronegativity differences***
The electronegativity difference between carbon and hydrogen is small (2.5 - 2.2 = 0.3), but the difference between carbon and nitrogen is significant (3.0 - 2.5 = 0.5). This difference causes the electrons in the triple bond to spend more time closer to the nitrogen atom, making the nitrogen end of the molecule slightly negative and the hydrogen end slightly positive.
***Step 4: Identify the atom closest to the negative side***
Since the nitrogen atom has a higher electronegativity and attracts the electrons more strongly, it is the atom closest to the negative side of the molecule.
#### Final Answer
HCN is a polar molecule. The atom closest to the negative side is nitrogen.
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