Electrostatic potential maps

Definition

Electrostatic potential maps are visual representations that show the distribution of electric charges around a molecule, highlighting regions of positive, negative, and neutral electrostatic potential. These maps help in understanding how molecules interact with each other based on their charge distribution.

Related terms

Polar covalent bonds: A type of chemical bond where two atoms share a pair of electrons unequally, resulting in a distribution of electric charge across the molecule.

Electronegativity: A measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons towards itself when it forms a chemical bond.

Dipole moment: A measure of the separation of positive and negative electrical charges within a molecule, indicating the polarity of the molecule