Is Na2SO4 Polar or Nonpolar? Explain.

Sodium sulfate (Na₂SO₄) is considered a polar compound. The polarity of a molecule depends on its molecular structure and the electronegativity of the atoms involved.

In Na₂SO₄, the sodium (Na) ions and the sulfate (SO₄^2-) ion come together to form the compound. Sodium has a low electronegativity, while sulfur and oxygen have higher electronegativities. This results in the sulfate ion having a significant dipole moment due to the unequal sharing of electrons, particularly between sulfur and oxygen.

The presence of polar bonds in the sulfate ion creates an overall dipole moment for the entire compound, making Na₂SO₄ polar. Additionally, when dissolved in water, Na₂SO₄ dissociates into Na⁺ and SO₄^2- ions, which interact favorably with the polar water molecules, further indicating the polarity of the compound.