Induced dipoles

[Anushi Patel 1J]

Can someone explain to me exactly how a molecule with a temporary dipole induces dipoles in other molecules it interacts with?

[monikac4k]

If a molecule is already experiencing a dipole moment, where one area is slightly negative and another is slightly positive, then these minor charges will cause a shift in the electron cloud of nearby molecules. If a molecule (let's call it A) is near a positively charged region of another molecule (B), the electrons of the molecule A will shift towards the positive dipole moment of the nearby molecule B. This results in changes of the electron cloud of molecule A, creating a new dipole moment with the negative end of A towards the positive end of B.

[Mona Lee 4L]

For every molecule, there are a lot of negatively-charged electrons held around a positively-charged nucleus. If a small shift in this electron cloud occurs, it will create a small dipole whereby one part is more positive and one more negative. This small dipole will then induce a change in nearby molecules. The larger the electron cloud, the more easily polarizable the molecule will be because of the increased electron-electron repulsion.