For some reason I am having a lot of difficulty getting this concept into my head ... does anyone have a simple definition or explanation? Thank you!
2007-04-22 04:20:48 · 5 answers · asked by veggie_fta 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
In physics, the electric dipole moment is a measure of the polarity of a system of electric charges. That means the positive and negative charges are not at the same position because of some kind of electric/magnetic forces
2007-04-22 04:32:11 · answer #1 · answered by Sư Ngố 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dipole moments occur when the elements bonding together do not have the same electronegativity (i.e. the same "desire" to attract electrons). When this occurs, the electrons in the bond between them will be more attracted to one element vs. the other, imparting a partial positive charge on the less electronegative atom and a partial negative charge on the more electronegative atom. Taken to extremes, you end up with an ionic bond.
If the sum of the individual dipole moments in a molecule cannot cancel, then the molecule itself will be polar. If they can (in, for example, CCl4), then the molecule is non-polar.
2007-04-22 04:34:48 · answer #2 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A molecule has a dipole moment when the average centre of positive charge is not in the same place as the average centre of negative charge.
2007-04-22 04:24:57 · answer #3 · answered by Gervald F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Imagine the center of your body as center of the atom. You are holding out your hands with negative and positive balls. If your right hand with positive ball is short than your left hand with the negative ball, you will be unbalanced in polarity. But if they are equal, you will be even in polarity.
2007-04-22 04:31:00 · answer #4 · answered by African 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is the product of net +ve or -ve charge on a molecule and the distance between the charges.
2007-04-22 04:27:25 · answer #5 · answered by sarat m 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋