Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having two poles: In physics and chemistry, "dipolar" describes a system, molecule, or field that possesses two distinct and opposite poles, such as positive and negative electric charges or north and south magnetic poles.
   • Characterized by a dipole moment: It specifically refers to having a separation of equal but opposite charges or magnetic poles by a small distance, creating a measurable dipole moment.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Water is a dipolar molecule because of the uneven distribution of electrons between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms.
  • The bar magnet is a classic example of a dipolar magnetic field.
  • Scientists studied the dipolar nature of the compound to understand its solubility.

Advanced Usage

• "dipolar interaction": A force or interaction between two dipoles, such as the attraction between the positive end of one polar molecule and the negative end of another.

  • The properties of many liquids are influenced by dipolar interactions between their molecules.

• "dipolar aprotic solvent": A type of solvent that has a significant dipole moment but no hydrogen atom bonded to an electronegative atom (like oxygen or nitrogen), and thus cannot donate hydrogen bonds.

  • Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a common dipolar aprotic solvent used in organic reactions.

Variants and Related Words

• Dipole (n): A pair of equal and opposite electric charges or magnetic poles separated by a distance.

  • An electric dipole consists of a positive and a negative charge.

• Dipole moment (n): A measure of the separation of positive and negative electrical charges in a system.

  • The dipole moment of a molecule indicates its overall polarity.

Synonyms

• Bipolar: Having two poles or extremities. (Note: In technical contexts, "bipolar" is often used similarly, but "dipolar" is more specific to physics and chemistry regarding charge/pole separation.)
• Polar: Having a dipole moment; exhibiting polarity.

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Dipolar compound: A chemical compound that possesses a permanent dipole moment.
• Dipolar cycloaddition: A specific type of chemical reaction involving molecules with dipolar characteristics.

Adjective

1. having equal and opposite electric charges or magnetic poles having opposite signs and separated by a small distance