Which of the following describes a molecule that has both a positive and a negative pole?

A molecule that has both a positive and a negative pole is best described as a polar molecule. This characteristic arises from the uneven distribution of electron density within the molecule, leading to regions of partial positive and partial negative charges. The polarity is a result of differences in electronegativity between atoms in a covalent bond; when one atom is more electronegative, it attracts the shared electrons more closely, creating a dipole.

In the case of polar molecules, the overall shape and symmetry also play a crucial role in determining if the dipoles cancel each other out or if they contribute to an overall dipole moment. Molecules like water (H2O) exemplify polar molecules, as they possess distinctly positive and negative regions due to their bent shape.

While the term "dipole" refers specifically to the presence of two opposing charges (positive and negative), it doesn’t encompass the entire definition of a molecule with these properties. The term "neutral molecule," on the other hand, would imply that there is no net charge at all, which does not apply here. An apolar molecule lacks poles entirely due to symmetrical electron distribution, while polar molecules actively have these charged regions. Therefore, the most accurate term for a molecule with both positive and