Question

Dipole moment of H₂O is higher than that of NH₃. Explain.

Answer 1

In both NH₃ and H₂O, 

The central atom undergoes sp³ hybridization. 

In both the molecules, 

The orbital dipole due to the lone pair increases the effect of resultant dipole moment. 

However, in NH₃,

Nitrogen has only one lone pair while in H₂O, oxygen has two lone pairs. 

Hence,

Dipole moment of H₂O is higher than that of NH₃.