Question

a) Discuss the significance/applications of dipole moment.
b) Represent diagrammatically the bond moments and the resultant dipole moment in `CO_(2), NF_(3)` and `CHCl_(3)`

Answer 1

Correct Answer - a
a) The applications of dipole moment are
i) The dipole moment helps to predict whether a molecules is polar or non-polar. As `mu=qxxd`, greater isthe magnitude of dipole moment, higher will be the polarity of the bond. For non-polar molecules, the dipole moment is zero.
ii) The percentage of ionic character can be calculated as
Percentage of ionic character `=(mu_("observed"))/(mu_("ionic")) xx 100`
iii) Symmetrical molecules have zero dipole moment although they have two or more polar bonds (in determination of symmetry).
iv) It helps to distinguish between cis and trans isomes. Usually cis-isomer has higher dipole moment than trans-isomer.
v) It helps to distinguish between orth, meta and parta isomers. Dipole moment of para isomer is zero. Dipole moment of ortho isomer is greater than that of meta isomer.
b)