Why is a #CO_2# molecule is nonpolar?

Answer 1

There is some, little degree of polarity, of charge separation, in the #C-O# bonds...........

Neverthless, because the #CO_2# molecule is LINEAR, the vector sum of the individual #CrarrO# dipoles cancels to ZERO. Polarity results from a vector sum that is non-zero, and as a result #CO_2# is non-polar.

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Answer 2

Avery Adams

A CO2 molecule is nonpolar because its geometry is linear, with the two oxygen atoms on either side of the carbon atom. The electronegativity difference between carbon and oxygen is not significant enough to create a dipole moment, resulting in a symmetrical distribution of charge and making the molecule nonpolar.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.