Definition of Dipole Moment



The dipole moment is a quantitative term which describes the distance that separates the two opposite charges. If we know the length of the bond, we can determine the size of the molecule as well as the partial charges being imparted on the molecule. It can also be defined as the product of the magnitude (q) with which the two charges are separated and the distance (r) of the separation.

 


The units for dipole moment are Coulombs meter and Debye. The two factors that tell us whether the molecule has dipole moment or not are: the molecule must be having polar covalent bonds and the shape of the molecule is in a way that dipoles are not cancelling out each other.


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