Problem 35 - Chemistry: The Central Science

Question

What is the distinction between a bond dipole and a molecular dipole moment?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

A bond dipole refers to the separation of electrical charges within a chemical bond between two atoms with differing electronegativities, resulting in partial positive and negative charges. On the other hand, the molecular dipole moment is the overall distribution of charges within a molecule, determined by individual bond dipoles and their spatial arrangement. A molecule can have bond dipoles without having a molecular dipole moment if the bond dipoles cancel each other out due to the molecular structure.

Step 1: Bond Dipole

A bond dipole refers to the separation of electrical charges within a chemical bond between two atoms. This occurs when there is a difference in electronegativity between the two atoms involved in the bond, leading to an unequal sharing of electrons. The atom with the greater electronegativity will have more electron density around it, making it partially negative, while the atom with the lower electronegativity will be partially positive. An example of a bond dipole is the single bond between hydrogen and chlorine in hydrochloric acid (HCl). Chlorine is more electronegative than hydrogen, so it attracts the electrons more strongly and becomes partially negative, while hydrogen becomes partially positive.

Step 2: Molecular Dipole Moment

The molecular dipole moment refers to the overall distribution of charges within a molecule, which is determined by the individual bond dipoles and their spatial arrangement. A molecule can have bond dipoles and still possess an overall nonpolar character if the bond dipoles cancel each other out due to the molecular structure. An example of a molecular dipole moment is water (H2O). In this molecule, both the O-H bonds are polar due to the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen. However, due to the bent molecular structure, these bond dipoles do not cancel out, resulting in an overall molecular dipole moment. In contrast, carbon dioxide (CO2) has polar C=O bonds due to the electronegativity difference between carbon and oxygen. However, the linear structure of the molecule causes these bond dipoles to cancel each other out, resulting in an overall nonpolar molecule with no molecular dipole moment.

Step 3: Comparison

In summary, a bond dipole is the charge separation within a single chemical bond between two atoms, whereas a molecular dipole moment is the overall distribution of charges within a molecule, influenced by individual bond dipoles and their spatial arrangement. A molecule can have bond dipoles without having a molecular dipole moment if the bond dipoles cancel each other out.