Is Methane (CH₄) Polar or Nonpolar?
Is Methane (CH₄) polar or nonpolar?
Methane has four slightly polar C–H bonds (ΔEN = 0.35), but the perfect tetrahedral geometry means all four dipoles cancel exactly. The molecule has no net dipole.
| Formula | CH₄ |
| Polarity | Nonpolar |
| Molecular Geometry | Tetrahedral |
| C–H Bond | ΔEN = 0.35 (weakly polar) |
| Net Dipole | No - dipoles cancel |
Bond Dipoles
Each C–H bond has a small electronegativity difference of 0.35 (C = 2.55, H = 2.20). These bonds are only slightly polar - carbon pulls a little more than hydrogen.
Molecular Shape & Dipole Cancellation
Methane has perfect tetrahedral geometry (109.5°). The four C–H bonds point to the corners of a tetrahedron, so the four bond dipoles are equally spaced in 3D.
Net Dipole Moment
Because the four dipoles point symmetrically in all directions, they cancel exactly. Methane has zero net dipole - it is nonpolar. This is why methane doesn't dissolve well in water.
See bond dipoles, partial charges, and net dipole moments on interactive 3D molecules.
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