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Is GeH4 polar or nonpolar? – Polarity of GeH4

The question is –

Is GeH4 polar or nonpolar?

Answer:

GeH4 is a non-polar molecule. 

Explanation:

Germanium (IV) hydride (GeH4) is non-polar as the dipole moments of slightly polar Ge-H bonds get canceled equally in opposite directions in the symmetrical tetrahedral molecular shape.

GeH4 consists of four Ge-H single covalent bonds.

Each Ge-H bond is only slightly polar as it consists of a small electronegativity difference of 0.19 units between a germanium (E.N = 2.01) and a hydrogen (E.N = 2.20) atom.

The central Ge-atom gains a partial positive charge (δ+) while each of the terminal H-atoms gains partial negative charges (δ).

is geh4 polar or nonpolar

All four valence electrons of germanium get consumed in covalent bonding; thus, there is no lone pair of electrons present on the central Ge-atom in GeH4.

Consequently, there is no distortion witnessed in the overall molecular shape.

The GeH4 molecule thus occupies a symmetrical tetrahedral shape, identical to its ideal electron pair geometry.

The Ge-H dipole moments get equally canceled equally in opposite directions in the symmetrical shape to yield an overall non-polar molecule (net µ = 0).

Also, check –

How to identify polar or nonpolar compounds?

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