Why are alkanes 'non-polar' I am unsure with regards to the specific reason why alkanes are non-polar as I have heard different explanations. My teacher said that it is because, although there is a difference in electronegativity between carbon and hydrogen atoms, the carbon is shielded by the hydrogen atoms from reacting with the external environment and therefore, since only the hydrogen can react, it is non-polar (something along the lines of it is the difference between delta + and delta - ends that actually make a molecule polar). From searching on the internet, however, I have found the explanation that it is because the difference in electronegativity is so small (0.3) that it is non-polar, which makes sense, however it contradicts what my textbook states: That only bonds between elements with equal electronegativity are non-polar. Can someone clear this up for me? Thank you!
It is because of the very small difference in electronegativity between carbon and hydrogen.This is the reason why alkanes are very less acidic,do not show electrophillic substitutions etc.