Is Br2 Polar or Nonpolar? (Why? & How?)

Br2 is a NONPOLAR molecule.

But why? 

And how can you say that Br2 is a nonpolar molecule?

Want to know the reason?
Let’s dive into it!

Br2 is a NONPOLAR molecule because any two bonding atoms whose electronegativity difference value is less than 0.4 forms a nonpolar bond.
Here in Br2 molecule, both the atoms are Bromine atoms. Because of this, the electronegativity difference of both the Bromine atoms (Br = 2.96) is 0 (i.e 2.96 – 2.96 = 0). This  value (0) is less than 0.4, hence the Br2 molecule is a nonpolar molecule.

Didn’t understand what is written above?

Let me explain this in a short and simple way (with 3D images).
You can also watch this short 2 minute video).

Why is Br2 a Nonpolar molecule? (Explained!)

Br2 is a nonpolar molecule because it does not have any pole of positive charge and negative charge on it. This is because both the atoms are identical (i.e both the atoms are bromine atoms only).

But wait, let me give you some detailed information about the nonpolar nature of Br2 molecule.

The chemical bonds can be either nonpolar, polar or ionic depending on the difference of the electronegativity values (ΔEN) between the two atoms.

Have a look at the above image.

• If the electronegativity difference (ΔEN) is less than 0.4, then the bond is nonpolar covalent bond.
• If the electronegativity difference (ΔEN) is between 0.4 to 1.7, then the bond is polar covalent bond. 
• If the electronegativity difference (ΔEN) is greater than 1.7, then the bond is an ionic bond. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]}

Now let’s come to the example of Br2 molecule.

You can see the electronegativity value of Bromine (Br) atom from the periodic table given below.

From the above image;

• Electronegativity of Bromine (Br) = 2.96 ^[6]

So for Br2, the electronegativity difference (ΔEN) = 2.96 – 2.96 = 0

This value is less than 0.4, which indicates that the bond between both the Bromine (Br) atoms is nonpolar covalent bond.

Hence, Br2 is a nonpolar molecule.

How Br2 becomes a Nonpolar molecule?

In a Br2 molecule, there are two bromine atoms (Br). Both these bromine atoms are covalently bonded with each other by sharing one electron pair between them.

Here both the atoms are identical, so the electron pairs are equally attracted by both the bromine atoms.

As the electron pairs are equally attracted towards both the bromine atoms, there will not be any partial positive charge (ẟ+) or partial negative charge (ẟ-) on the Bromine atoms (Br).

And as there are no positive and negative poles of charges on the Br2 molecule, it is a nonpolar molecule.

I hope you have understood the reason behind the nonpolar nature of Br2 molecule.

See the polarity of other molecules to make your concepts clear:
Is PF3 Polar or Nonpolar?
Is Hexane (C6H14) Polar or Nonpolar?
Is PCl5 Polar or Nonpolar?
Is Cl2 Polar or Nonpolar?
Is HBr Polar or Nonpolar?