Question

What is the dipole moment of ${\mathrm{NH}}_3$?

Answer 1

Dipole moment

• It can be defined as the product of the distance between the centers of a positive and negative charge, and the magnitude of the charge.

Dipole moment of ${\mathrm{NH}}_3$

• ${\mathrm{NH}}_3$ has a pyramidal shape as shown in the diagram given below:-
• In the case of ${\mathrm{NH}}_3$, the orbital dipole due to the lone pair is in the same direction as the resultant dipole moment of the $\text{N – H}$ bonds.

• So, the dipole moment of ${\mathrm{NH}}_3$ is $4.90\times {10}^{-30}\text{cm}$.