Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A nonpolar substance is a type of chemical substance where the electrons are shared equally between atoms in a molecule, resulting in no electrical poles or charges.
Related terms
Covalent Bond: This is a type of chemical bond where two atoms share electrons.
Symmetry: In chemistry, this refers to how identical parts are arranged around a point or axis.
Hydrophobic: This term describes substances that do not mix with water. Nonpolar substances are typically hydrophobic because "like dissolves like."