Question { 12051 }
define polar and non polar solvent
Answer
First of all we need to know what polar molecules are.Some elements have a greater tendency to attract electrons than the other ie they're more electronegative. So when in covalent moelcule a pair of less electronegative and a more electronegative element is present, the electrons shift from their mean position to slightly towards more electronegative. Thus the elements acquire slight charge. This is known as polar bond. The molecule so formed is known as polar molecule. e.g. In HCl, Cl is more electronegative and attracts electron towards itself, Cl acquires slight negative charge and H acquires slight positive charge. Similarly in water, Oxygen acquires negative charge and hydrogen positive
So now we can define the required as Polar solvent are those solvents which are constituted of polar molecules. e.g. Water, HCl
Non polar solvents are those solvents which are made up of non polar molecules. e.g. Carbon Disulphide, Carbon tetrachloride