Is methanol a polar molecule?

Yes, methanol (CH3OH) is a polar molecule.

A molecule's polarity is determined by the presence of polar bonds and the overall molecular geometry. In the case of methanol, the oxygen atom is more electronegative than the carbon and hydrogen atoms, resulting in a polar covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen. This bond causes an uneven distribution of electron density, with the oxygen atom being partially negative (δ-) and the hydrogen atoms being partially positive (δ+).

Additionally, methanol has a bent molecular geometry due to the tetrahedral arrangement of the four atoms around the oxygen atom. This bent shape further contributes to the overall polarity of the molecule.

As a result, the polar bonds and the molecular geometry of methanol lead to an overall molecular polarity, making it a polar molecule.