- #1
Reshma
- 749
- 6
Certain molecules have built-in dipole moments. The dipole moment of water is unusually large: 6.1 x 10-30C.m. How does this account for the effectiveness of water as a solvent?
Dipole Moment of Water: Explaining Its Ability to Solve Substances
- Thread starter Reshma
- Start date
-
- Tags
- Dipole Dipole moment Moment Water
In summary, water molecules have a built-in dipole moment due to the clustering of electrons around the oxygen atom, resulting in a bent molecular structure. This polarity makes water an effective solvent.
- #2
Gokul43201
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 7,220
- 24
Looks like a standard textbook question.
This thread shoud go into the Coursework section where it will be subject to the requirement that you first tell us what you think.
This thread shoud go into the Coursework section where it will be subject to the requirement that you first tell us what you think.
- #3
Reshma
- 749
- 6
OK, I did not realize this is a HW-type question 
.
So, in a water molecule, electrons cluster around the oxygen atom and the molecule is bent at an angle of 105 degrees. How does this make water an excellent solvent?
.So, in a water molecule, electrons cluster around the oxygen atom and the molecule is bent at an angle of 105 degrees. How does this make water an excellent solvent?
Last edited:
- #4
Umabel
- 21
- 0
The molecule is polar, that should be the "bridge" between clustered electrons and excelent solvents.
I can't blame you though. The question is worded all weird but the concept is nevertheless the same, so you are better off researching about this.
I can't blame you though. The question is worded all weird but the concept is nevertheless the same, so you are better off researching about this.
1. What is a dipole moment?
A dipole moment is a measure of the separation of positive and negative charges in a molecule. It is represented by a vector pointing from the partial positive charge to the partial negative charge.
2. How does water's dipole moment contribute to its ability to dissolve substances?
Water's dipole moment allows it to interact with other polar molecules, such as ions and other polar compounds, through electrostatic interactions. This makes it an effective solvent for many substances.
3. Why is water considered a polar molecule?
Water is considered a polar molecule because it has a permanent dipole moment due to the unequal sharing of electrons between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms. This creates partial positive and negative charges within the molecule.
4. How does the strength of a molecule's dipole moment affect its ability to dissolve substances?
The stronger a molecule's dipole moment, the more polar it is and the better it is at dissolving substances. This is because a stronger dipole moment allows for stronger electrostatic interactions with other polar molecules.
5. Can a nonpolar molecule have a dipole moment?
Yes, a nonpolar molecule can have a dipole moment if the individual bond dipoles do not cancel each other out. This can occur if the molecule has an overall asymmetrical shape.
Similar threads
-
Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
-
Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
-
Introductory Physics Homework Help
-
Quantum Physics
-
Quantum Physics
-
Atomic and Condensed Matter
-
Introductory Physics Homework Help
-
Biology and Chemistry Homework Help
-
Introductory Physics Homework Help
-
Biology and Chemistry Homework Help