Is Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) Polar or Nonpolar?
Is Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) polar or nonpolar?
HF has the most polar single bond (ΔEN = 1.78). As a diatomic molecule, the bond dipole IS the molecular dipole - there is nothing to cancel it.
| Formula | HF |
| Polarity | Polar |
| Molecular Geometry | Linear |
| H–F Bond | ΔEN = 1.78 (polar) |
| Net Dipole | Yes |
Bond Dipoles
The H–F bond has an electronegativity difference of 1.78 (F = 3.98, H = 2.20). This is the largest ΔEN of any single bond - fluorine pulls electron density very strongly.
Molecular Shape & Dipole Cancellation
HF is a diatomic molecule - it's linear by definition. With only one bond, there is no possibility of cancellation.
Net Dipole Moment
The molecular dipole equals the bond dipole, pointing from H toward F. HF is strongly polar and forms very strong hydrogen bonds.
See bond dipoles, partial charges, and net dipole moments on interactive 3D molecules.
Visualize Hydrogen Fluoride's Polarity in 3DRelated Topics
Lewis Structure of HF
Draw the Lewis dot structure of Hydrogen Fluoride
Hydrogen Fluoride VSEPR Shape
Predict the 3D shape of HF using VSEPR theory
Hydrogen Fluoride Intermolecular Forces
Identify the intermolecular forces in HF
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