Is CBr4 Polar or Nonpolar?

Answer: CBr4 is a nonpolar molecule due to the symmetrical arrangement of bromine atoms around a central carbon atom. This cancels out all of the polar electron pulls between the different molecules and therefore no permanent dipole is established. 

Although CBr4 is a nonpolar substance, the fact that each bromine atom contributes 35 electrons increases the capacity for temporary forces caused by the random dispersion of electrons. As a result the molecule actually a quite high melting point of 95˚C and a boiling point of 190˚C. The electronegativity difference between bromine (2.96) and carbon (2.55) contributes to the capacity of this molecule to dissolve in slightly polar solvents like ethanol. The molecule is also known as carbon tetrabromide.

CBr4 Ball and Stick Model. Created with MolView.

How is CBr4 utilized in the real world?

Carbon tetrabromide can be utilized in a variety of reactions in order to add bromine atoms to different hydrocarbons; however, the molecule is less stable than HBr or Br2 when utilized in a chemical reaction. It can also be a solvent itself for a wide variety of waxes and oils. Since CBr4 is non-flammable it is utilized in fire retardants. Furthermore, due to the density of the crystal compound as a result of its tetrahedral structure and electron mass, the compound can be utilized in order to separate minerals from one another (a kind of very fine "filter paper").