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Step 1
Count the number of regions around the central atom. example: CF4 has four regions around the central C atom -
Step 2
Describe the nature of the regions Example: All 4 negative regions are filled with bonding electrons -
Step 3
Describe the Bond Polarity Example: The bond between C and F is polar because its made up of different atoms therefore have different electronegativities. -
Step 4
Describe the OVERALL polarity of the molecule Example: CF4 is non-polar because it has a symmetrical tetrahedral shape. Therefore there is a equal distribution of bond dipoles around the central atom thus causing the bond dipoles to cancel each other out.
