dipole molecule
Definition
- Noun:
- A molecule that is a permanent dipole: A dipole molecule is a molecule that possesses a permanent separation of positive and negative electrical charges. This occurs due to an uneven distribution of electrons between atoms with different electronegativities, creating a permanent electric dipole moment.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Water is a classic example of a dipole molecule because of its bent shape and the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen.
- The polarity of a solvent often depends on whether it is a dipole molecule.
- In an electric field, a dipole molecule will tend to align itself with the field.
Advanced Usage
- "To exhibit dipole molecule characteristics": To display the properties of a permanent dipole.
- Ammonia (NH₃) exhibits strong dipole molecule characteristics due to its lone pair of electrons and pyramidal shape.
Variants and Related Words
- Dipole moment (n): A quantitative measure of the polarity of a molecule, indicating the magnitude of its dipole.
- The dipole moment of a molecule determines the strength of its interactions with other dipoles.
- Polar molecule (n): Often used synonymously with dipole molecule, referring to a molecule with a permanent dipole moment.
- A polar molecule must have a dipole moment that is not zero.
Synonyms
- Polar molecule: A molecule with a permanent dipole moment.
- Electric dipole: A general term for any pair of equal and opposite charges separated by a distance, which can apply to molecules.
Related Phrases
- Molecular dipole: Another term for the dipole inherent to a molecule.
- The molecular dipole is a vector quantity pointing from the partial positive to the partial negative charge.
Related Concepts
- Dipole-dipole interaction: The attractive force between the positive end of one dipole molecule and the negative end of another.
- Dipole-dipole interactions are stronger than dispersion forces and contribute to higher boiling points.
Noun
-
a molecule that is a permanent dipole
