A polar molecule is characterized by having one positively charged side and one negatively charged side.

• A. Yes, because it has distinct charges
• B. No, polar molecules have no charges
• C. Only ionic compounds are polar
• D. Polarity is unrelated to charges

Answer: (A)

Polarity in molecules comes from uneven electron distribution, which creates partial charges on different regions. In a polar molecule, one end carries a partial positive charge while the opposite end carries a partial negative charge, producing a dipole moment. This means the statement that a polar molecule has one positively charged side and one negatively charged side is accurate in the sense of partial charges, not full Ionic charges. The charges are partial (δ+ and δ−) unless you’re dealing with an ionic compound, which consists of full positive and negative ions. Also, remember that shape matters: if polar bonds are arranged so their dipoles cancel, the molecule can be nonpolar even though individual bonds are polar. But when you see distinct opposite charges on different ends, that signals polarity.