Multiple Choice
In a water molecule (H_2O), why does the oxygen atom have a partial negative charge while the hydrogen atoms have partial positive charges?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Dipole Moment
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which of the following molecules has a dipole moment?
A
CCl4
B
O2
C
CO
D
N2
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that a dipole moment arises in a molecule when there is an uneven distribution of electron density, typically due to differences in electronegativity between atoms and an asymmetrical molecular geometry.
Analyze each molecule's structure and symmetry: CCl4 is tetrahedral and symmetrical, so the individual bond dipoles cancel out, resulting in no net dipole moment.
O2 and N2 are diatomic molecules composed of identical atoms, so the electron distribution is equal and there is no dipole moment.
CO is a diatomic molecule with two different atoms (carbon and oxygen) having different electronegativities, which creates an uneven electron distribution and thus a dipole moment.
Therefore, the molecule with a dipole moment is the one that is both polar and asymmetrical, which in this list is CO.
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