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Dipoles Explained for Idiots

Hi,

I am really confused about dipoles, and its the only topic i am struggling with. I don't need to know them to a great deal of complexity, but if anyone is fairly confident they can explain it to someone who is struggling to grasp the idea, it would be appreciated greatly.

Thanks.

Reply 1

Malsy

http://www.bookrags.com/research/dipole-woc/

Mainly this paragraph:

In a covalent bond between atoms with unequal electronegativities (i.e. having unequal attraction for electrons), the atom with the larger electronegativity will attract the electrons shared in the bonding molecular orbital more, and the shared electrons will spend more time near that atom. It will, consequently, have a partial negative charge. The less electronegative atom will have a partial positive charge since the shared electrons spend less time near it. Because there is a separation of charges, with a partial positive charge at one end of the bond and an equal negative partial charge at the other, a dipole results. Such a bond is called a polar covalent bond.

:smile:

Reply 2

Helen1991

This website is great for A level and explains it really well I think.

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/atoms/bonding/electroneg.html#top

Reply 3

Ezraeil

Basically,a dipole is formed when there is a difference in charge between the ends of a molecule...

Take HCl for example...the Chlorine atom is more electronegative and so it attracts the electron density towards itself, which gives it a negative charge.

Hydrogen, on the other hand has a lower electronegativity and so loses it's electron to the chlorine.

This difference in charge forms a dipole :smile:

Reply 4

SupaJakyWilshere

So basically yea I’ve got me GSCEs coming up and that, so I needed a bit of help with me maths Could anybody help me out Thanks lads