Question

Is Cyclopentane c5h10 polar or nonpolar? How do you kniow?

Answer 1

Cyclopentane is non polar.

Electronegativity is the measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons to itself in a covalent bond. Higher the difference between the electronegativity of the element in covalent bond, more is the polarity of the molecule. All the hydrocarbons have carbon and hydrogen. The EN of C is 2.55 and H is 2.20. This differcene in not appreciable to give the polarity to the molecule. The melting point of cyclopentane is -94°C and boiling point is 49°C.

The simple test to the polar nature is to study the solublity of the compound in polar medium. Since the cyclopentae is non polar in nature, the molecule is not soluble in water but soluble in kerosene or petrol.