Question

Why is a molecule of `CO_2` nonpolar even though the bonds between the carbon atom and the oxygen atoms are polar?

Answer 1

`"Because the C=O dipoles are horizontally opposed.........."`

Explanation:

`"......and their VECTOR sum gives no resultant dipole."`

`CO_2` is a linear molecule, and the `/_"O"-"C"-"O"` is `180^@`. Dipoles are vector quantities; they have magnitide and direction. While there is charge separation, i.e. polarity, in an individual `"C"="O"` bond, the resultant vector from the sum of the individual bond dipoles in the `""^(delta-)"O"="C"^(delta+)="O"^(delta-)` molecule is clearly ZERO. The same thing is observed with the `"CCl"_4` molecule, but not with the `"CHCl"_3` or `"CH"_2"Cl"_2` molecule. Capisce?