Dipole Moment

[705676154]

Im confused can someone explain what a dipole moment is?

[Lucas Koch 1I]

Every molecule has dispersion forces due to the movement of electrons around atoms. Sometimes electrons will randomly happen to be concentrated on one side of the molecule/atom giving that side a slight negative charge and giving the opposite side a slight positive charge. This instantaneous slight charge is called a dipole moment.

[Brian Diehl 2B]

A dipole moment is an electrostatic attraction between two covalent molecules. This can be caused by the electronegativity of an atom in one molecule being higher than the electronegativity of an atom in the other molecule, which creates a more permanent dipole as there is a constant pull of electrons towards the atom with higher electronegativity. A dipole moment can also occur due to the fluctuating electron density across all covalent molecules, which can produce smaller attractions between two molecules (called dispersion forces) and thus create more temporary dipole moments.

[Emma Goellner 2I]

When there is a separation of charge in a molecule, there is a dipole moment. If the dipole moments cancel out, then there is no net dipole moment. If the dipole moments are additive, then there is a net dipole moment, and the molecule is considered polar.

[Nick Oscarson 1K]

A dipole moment is whenever two ions in either ionic or covalent bonds experience a separation of charge. To explain further, I'll show an example.

HCl consists of two ions, H and Cl, that are connected with a covalent bond. (Let "---" represent a single bond)

H---Cl

Cl has a higher electronegativity value than H and will pull the electrons towards itself, creating a dipole moment.

[205819952]

An electrostatic attraction between two covalent molecules is referred to as a dipole moment.