A molecule having the maximum dipole moment among the following is -
A
CO2
B
CH4
C
NH3
D
NF3
Step-by-Step Solution
Let us examine the dipole moment of each molecule:
CO2: It has a linear structure. The bond dipoles of the two C=O bonds are equal and opposite, canceling each other out, resulting in a net dipole moment of zero.
CH4: It has a highly symmetrical tetrahedral geometry. The vector sum of the four C-H bond dipoles is zero, so it is a non-polar molecule.
NH3 and NF3: Both have a trigonal pyramidal shape with one lone pair on the central nitrogen atom. In NH3, the orbital dipole due to the lone pair is in the same direction as the resultant dipole moment of the three N-H bonds, leading to a higher net dipole moment (4.90×10−30 C m or 1.47 D). In NF3, the orbital dipole is in the direction opposite to the resultant dipole moment of the three N-F bonds, which decreases the net dipole moment (0.8×10−30 C m or 0.23 D).
Therefore, NH3 has the maximum dipole moment among the given options .
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