Molecule Polarity Simulator
Change atom electronegativity and see bond dipoles, the net dipole and molecule polarity.
About the Molecule Polarity Simulator
Free molecule polarity simulation. Change the electronegativity of atoms in a three-atom molecule, bend the bond angle, and see bond dipole arrows and the net dipole. Built for chemistry, the molecule polarity simulator runs instantly in your browser: change a setting or drag an object and the result updates at once, so you learn by trying things out rather than only reading about them.
Change atom electronegativity and see bond dipoles, the net dipole and molecule polarity. Use it to explore chemistry ideas at your own pace, then check what you found against the key ideas further down this page.
How to use the Molecule Polarity Simulator
- Use the controls to change Electronegativity of A, Electronegativity of B (centre), Electronegativity of C, Bond angle A–B–C, Real molecules. The simulation reacts instantly.
- Pick an option such as H₂O, CO₂, Nonpolar line, NH₃-like to switch modes or load an example.
- Where you see a glowing handle, object, weight or atom, drag it with your mouse or finger. Everything responds in real time.
- Watch the readouts and graphs update as you experiment, and compare what you see with the key ideas below.
Things to try
- Load H₂O and CO₂ and compare.
- Make all electronegativities equal.
- Bend the bond angle.
- Find a polar molecule with a net dipole of zero.
Key ideas you can learn
- A bond is polar when the two atoms differ in electronegativity.
- Bond dipoles are vectors: they can cancel out in a symmetric molecule like CO₂.
- A bent molecule such as H₂O does not cancel, so it is polar.
Where this is used in the real world
Polarity explains why water dissolves salt, why oil and water do not mix, and how soaps and drugs work.
Who is this simulation for?
Chemistry students from middle school to university, teachers who need a virtual demonstration, and anyone without access to a lab. It is safe, free and repeatable as many times as you like.
For teachers: project it on the board, let students predict what will happen, then run it together. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Frequently asked questions
How can a molecule with polar bonds be nonpolar?
If the shape is symmetric, the bond dipoles point in opposite directions and cancel, as in linear CO₂.
What is electronegativity?
How strongly an atom pulls shared electrons toward itself. The more electronegative atom gets the partial negative charge.
Is the Molecule Polarity Simulator free to use?
Yes. It is completely free, with no signup, no download and no ads inside the simulation. It runs in your web browser.
Does the Molecule Polarity Simulator work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. It uses touch as well as the mouse, so you can drag objects with your finger. A larger screen makes the controls easier to see.