answersLogoWhite

0

Simplified, it's because its shape. Water exists as an oxygen bonded to two hydrogens, one on either side. Rather than being linear, the slightly "V" shape of the molecule places the positively charged hydrogens out of a linear alignment with the negatively charged oxygen.

The charge: The charge on these atoms exist because oxygen is very electronegative, drawing most of the electron density towards itself. As a result it gains a partially negative charge and the hydrogen atoms and partially positive charge.

The shape: Normally, the hydrogens would want to be as far apart from each other as is possible, giving the molecule a linear formation. However, water exists in a "V" shape (some say it looks like it has Mickey Mouse ears) This shape is caused because oxygen has two loan pairs of electrons present in an electron cloud. The thick electron cloud takes up a lot of space, so they push the hydrogens away to a considerable degree. This gives water a strong dipole moment, making it a very polar molecule indeed.

User Avatar

Wiki User

15y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences

Dipole moment vector of water molecule?

The dipole moment vector of a water molecule points from the partially positive hydrogen atom to the partially negative oxygen atom. This is due to the unequal sharing of electrons in the O-H bonds, resulting in a polar molecule with a net dipole moment. The dipole moment is important for water's unique properties, such as its ability to form hydrogen bonds with other molecules.


What of these has a net dipole moment?

A molecule has a net dipole moment if it has polar bonds arranged in such a way that they do not cancel each other out. For example, water (H₂O) has a bent shape, leading to a net dipole moment due to the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen. In contrast, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is linear, and its polar bonds cancel each other, resulting in no net dipole moment. Therefore, to determine if a molecule has a net dipole moment, one must consider both its bond polarities and its geometry.


Why is the dipole moment of water less than the dipole moment of alcohol?

Both CH2Cl2 and CHCl3 are bonded in a tetrahedral structure. The net dipole moment of CHCl3 is less than that of CH2Cl2 because the individual C-Cl dipole moments of CHCl3 cancel out each other to a greater extent.


Which is more polar 2-propanol or water?

Water is more polar than 2-propanol because it has a greater difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen atoms, leading to a larger dipole moment. 2-propanol also has a dipole moment due to the hydroxyl group, but it is less polar than water.


What do you mean by Dipole Moment and Induced Dipole Moment?

Induced dipole forces result when an ion or a dipole induces a dipole in an atom or a molecule with no dipole. These are weak forces. An ion-induced dipole attraction is a weak attraction that results when the approach of an ion induces a dipole in an atom or in a nonpolar molecule by disturbing the arrangement of electrons in the nonpolar species. A dipole-induced dipole attraction is a weak attraction that results when a polar molecule induces a dipole in an atom or in a nonpolar molecule by disturbing the arrangement of electrons in the nonpolar species.

Related Questions

Dipole moment vector of water molecule?

The dipole moment vector of a water molecule points from the partially positive hydrogen atom to the partially negative oxygen atom. This is due to the unequal sharing of electrons in the O-H bonds, resulting in a polar molecule with a net dipole moment. The dipole moment is important for water's unique properties, such as its ability to form hydrogen bonds with other molecules.


How does the h2o dipole contribute to the unique properties of water?

The h2o dipole, or water molecule's uneven distribution of charge, contributes to the unique properties of water by allowing it to form hydrogen bonds, which give water its high surface tension, ability to dissolve many substances, and high specific heat capacity.


Why is dipole moment of water greater than that of ammonia?

oxygen is more electronegative than nitrogen so we would expect a greater bond dipole for O-H as compared to N-H. Also water has two lone pairs whereas ammonia has only one. and these contribute to the net dipole moment.


How does the water dipole contribute to the unique properties of water?

The water dipole, created by the unequal sharing of electrons between oxygen and hydrogen atoms, leads to hydrogen bonding and cohesion in water. This contributes to water's high surface tension, ability to dissolve many substances, and its role as a universal solvent.


Which molecule have permanent dipole moment?

Water (H2O) and ammonia (NH3) are examples of molecules that have a permanent dipole moment due to their asymmetrical molecular geometry. This means they have a positive end and a negative end, leading to an overall dipole moment.


Why the dipole moment of liquid water is greater than the gas phase?

The dipole moment of liquid water is greater than in the gas phase because in the liquid state, water molecules are closer together and can align their dipoles more effectively. In the gas phase, water molecules are more spread out and have greater freedom of movement, resulting in a lower overall dipole moment.


What intermolecular forces does H2O have?

H2O (water) has three main intermolecular forces: hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces. These forces contribute to the unique properties of water, such as its high boiling point and surface tension.


Why water has more dipole moment than ammonia?

Water has a greater dipole moment than ammonia because water's bent molecular geometry results in stronger overall dipole-dipole interactions due to the greater electronegativity difference between oxygen and hydrogen. This leads to a larger separation of positive and negative charges in water compared to ammonia, which has a trigonal pyramid structure.


Which situations would Dipole-dipole forces be significant?

Dipole-dipole forces are significant in situations where polar molecules interact, such as in water (H2O). These forces play a crucial role in holding water molecules together, leading to properties like high boiling and melting points. Additionally, dipole-dipole forces are important in interactions between different polar molecules, influencing properties like solubility and boiling points.


What is the important of the water?

One of the main properties of water is its versatility: the water molecule is and acts like a dipole magnet. -


What of these has a net dipole moment?

A molecule has a net dipole moment if it has polar bonds arranged in such a way that they do not cancel each other out. For example, water (H₂O) has a bent shape, leading to a net dipole moment due to the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen. In contrast, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is linear, and its polar bonds cancel each other, resulting in no net dipole moment. Therefore, to determine if a molecule has a net dipole moment, one must consider both its bond polarities and its geometry.


Why is the dipole moment of water less than the dipole moment of alcohol?

Both CH2Cl2 and CHCl3 are bonded in a tetrahedral structure. The net dipole moment of CHCl3 is less than that of CH2Cl2 because the individual C-Cl dipole moments of CHCl3 cancel out each other to a greater extent.