Question

Which of the following compounds has zero dipole moment?

• A. CH$_3$Cl
• B. CHCl$_3$
• C. CCl$_4$
• D. CH$_2$Cl$_2$

Hint:

Zero dipole moment often indicates a highly symmetric geometry (e.g., linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral with identical substituents).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Use molecular geometry.
CCl$_4$ is perfectly tetrahedral and all C–Cl bond dipoles cancel due to symmetry.
Step 2: Eliminate others.
CH$_3$Cl, CHCl$_3$, and CH$_2$Cl$_2$ are polar because the vector sum of their bond moments is non-zero.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Hence, CCl$_4$ has zero dipole moment.