Is H3O+ polar or nonpolar?
H3O+ is a polar molecule.
Explanation: H3O+ molecule is formed by adding an H+ ion to a water
molecule (H2O). The H+ ion bonds to the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen
atom of the water molecule, forming a hydronium ion (H3O+). The H3O+
molecule has a trigonal pyramidal shape with the oxygen atom at the apex
and three hydrogen atoms at the base. The electronegativity of oxygen is
higher than that of hydrogen, which means that the oxygen atom attracts
electrons more strongly. Therefore, the oxygen atom develops a partial
negative charge while the hydrogen atoms develop a partial positive charge.
This charge separation makes the H3O+ molecule polar as it has a positive
and negative end.