Bond Dipoles
Definition
Bond dipoles occur when there is a difference in electronegativity between two atoms bonded together, causing an uneven distribution of electron density and creating partial positive and negative charges at each end.
Analogy
Picture yourself trying to share your favorite dessert with a friend who loves it more than you do. They'll end up eating more of it, just like the more electronegative atom in a bond will pull more electron density towards itself.
Related terms
Electronegativity: The measure of an atom's ability to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond.
Dipole Moment: A measure of the polarity of a molecule, calculated as the product of charge and distance between charges.
Ionic Bond: A type of chemical bond where one atom completely transfers its valence electrons to another atom.
"Bond Dipoles" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (1)
- What leads to greater bond dipoles?
Resources
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