Question

A diatomic molecule has a dipole moment of 1.2 D. If the bond distance is $0.1\dot{A}$, what fraction of an electron charge, exist on each atom?

• A. 25%
• B. 2.5%
• C. 50%
• D. none of these

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

2.5%

$1D=3.336\times {10}^{-30}Cm$

$\mu =1.2D=1.2\times 3.336\times {10}^{-30}Cm$

and $\mu =q\times l$

q=magnitude of charge

l=bond length

$l=0.1A=0.1\times {10}^{-10}m$

So charge $q=\frac{\mu }{l}$

$=\frac{1.2\times 3.336\times {10}^{-30}}{0.1\times {10}^{-10}}=4.0032\times {10}^{-19}C$

Fraction of charge = $\frac{4.0032\times {10}^{-19}}{1.6\times {10}^{-19}}=2.502=2.5\left(approx\right)$