Final answer:
A nonpolar molecule can have polar bonds if it has a symmetric molecular shape that cancels out the polarity. Carbon dioxide is an example of a nonpolar molecule with polar bonds. Water, on the other hand, is a polar molecule due to its asymmetric molecular shape.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nonpolar molecule can have polar bonds if it contains multiple polar bonds but has a symmetric molecular shape that cancels out the polarity.
For example, in the molecule carbon dioxide (CO2), each bond between the carbon and oxygen atoms is polar. However, due to its linear molecular shape, the bond polarities cancel each other out, resulting in a nonpolar molecule.
In contrast, a molecule like water (H2O) has polar bonds and an asymmetric molecular shape, causing the bond polarities to not cancel out. Therefore, water is a polar molecule.