Molecule Polarity

The PhET project at the University of Colorado creates "fun, interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena." This particular one deals with molecular polarity. When is a molecule polar? Change the electronegativity of atoms in a molecule to see how it affects polarity. This simulation will allow visitors to see how molecules behave in an electric field, and change the bond angle to see how shape affects polarity for real molecules in 3D. The simulation is also paired with teaching tips and user-contributed Teaching Ideas, lessons using the simulation in context, that can be found near the bottom of the page. The simulation is also available in multiple languages.