Answer:
determine whether the molecule contains polar bonds
determine whether the polar bonds add together to form a net dipole moment.
Explanation:
Before we decide whether a molecule is polar, we must first identify polar bonds within the molecule. Secondly, we must consider the direction of the dipoles to ascertain if the molecule has a net dipole moment.
For instance, CO2 has two C-O bonds which are polar. However, these bonds are oriented in such a way that the dipoles cancel out and the molecule has no net dipole moment. However, water contains dipoles which add together to give a net dipole moment hence water is a polar molecule.
