Why do atoms and non-polar molecules have no dipole moment?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
The correct answer is option 3 i.e. Because their electronic charge cloud is symmetrically distributed
- Atoms and nonpolar molecules have no dipole moment because their electronic charge cloud is symmetrically distributed.
- Nonpolar bonds form when the electronegativity difference between two atoms is less than 0.4, which means the electrons are shared almost equally.
- As a result, no net dipole moment is created. These bonds are typically found in molecules that have a symmetric structure, which helps cancel out any slight charge imbalances and maintain overall electroneutrality.
Dipole Moment:
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The concept of dipole moment helps in understanding how electrical charges are distributed within atoms and molecules. A dipole moment (μ) represents the extent of separation between positive and negative charges in a system. It is a vector quantity, typically directed from the negative charge toward the positive charge.
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Mathematically, the dipole moment is defined as
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μ=∣q∣×r
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- where:
- μ is the dipole moment,
- |q| is the magnitude of the separated charge, and
- r is the distance between the charges.