Dipole
Dipole
A separation of positive and negative charge. A bond dipole describes a polar bond; a molecular dipole moment reflects the vector combination of the charge distribution. Polar bonds can cancel by molecular symmetry, as in linear CO₂, so polar bonds alone do not guarantee a polar molecule.
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Index
Glossary and deeper reading · 2 refreshers
These editorial refreshers supplement the reading. Definitions and examples are added guidance; original source wording and recorded answers remain in their original context.
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Bond dipole
A bond dipole describes a bond's separation of positive and negative charge. Its direction and magnitude depend on the distribution of electron density. For example, an O–H bond has a dipole because its electron density is drawn toward oxygen.
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Vector
A vector is a quantity with a magnitude and a direction, represented by an arrow or by components along chosen axes. Vectors add by adding corresponding components rather than simply adding their magnitudes. For example, an eastward displacement followed by a northward displacement produces a resultant pointing northeast. The zero vector has zero magnitude and no unique direction.