Explain the concept of dipole moment and polarity of bonds.
Answers
When atoms share electrons, they form a covalent bond. If one of the atoms in that bond has a stronger attraction for electrons than the other, then the electrons are unequally shared and the bond is classified as apolar covalent bond. Polar covalent bonds result in an uneven charge distribution between atoms. Since electrons innately carry a negative charge, the atom with the stronger attraction for electrons becomes surrounded by a partial negative charge, and the atom with a weaker attraction for electrons is left with a partial positive charge.
A dipole moment is simply the measure of net polarity in a molecule. If a molecule contains polar bonds that are unevenly distributed about the center, there will be an uneven charge distribution across the entire molecule, making it a polar molecule. Polar molecules exhibit a large difference in electrical charge (a positive end and a negative end), otherwise known as a dipole moment.