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Question

Write the significance/applications of dipole moment.

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Solution

In heteronuclear molecules, polarization arises due to a difference in the electronegativitiesof the constituents of atoms. As a result, one end of the molecule acquires a positive charge while the other end becomes negative. Hence, a molecule is said to possess a dipole.

The product of the magnitude of the charge and the distance between the centres of positive-negative charges is called the dipole moment (μ) of the molecule. It is a vector.

quantity and is represented by an arrow with its tail at the positive centre and head pointing towards a negative centre. Dipole moment (μ) = charge (Q) × distance of separation (r) The SI unit of a dipole moment is ‘esu’.

1 esu = 3.335 × 1030 cm Dipole moment is the measure of the polarity of a bond. It is used to differentiate between polar and non-polar bonds since all non-polar molecules (e.g. H2,O2) have zero dipole moments. It is also helpful in calculating the percentage ionic character of a molecule.


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