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NEET CHEMISTRYMedium

A molecule having the maximum dipole moment among the following is -

A

CO2\text{CO}_2

B

CH4\text{CH}_4

C

NH3\text{NH}_3

D

NF3\text{NF}_3

Step-by-Step Solution

Let us examine the dipole moment of each molecule:

  • CO2\text{CO}_2: It has a linear structure. The bond dipoles of the two C=O\text{C=O} bonds are equal and opposite, canceling each other out, resulting in a net dipole moment of zero.
  • CH4\text{CH}_4: It has a highly symmetrical tetrahedral geometry. The vector sum of the four C-H\text{C-H} bond dipoles is zero, so it is a non-polar molecule.
  • NH3\text{NH}_3 and NF3\text{NF}_3: Both have a trigonal pyramidal shape with one lone pair on the central nitrogen atom. In NH3\text{NH}_3, the orbital dipole due to the lone pair is in the same direction as the resultant dipole moment of the three N-H\text{N-H} bonds, leading to a higher net dipole moment (4.90×1030 C m4.90 \times 10^{-30} \text{ C m} or 1.47 D1.47 \text{ D}). In NF3\text{NF}_3, the orbital dipole is in the direction opposite to the resultant dipole moment of the three N-F\text{N-F} bonds, which decreases the net dipole moment (0.8×1030 C m0.8 \times 10^{-30} \text{ C m} or 0.23 D0.23 \text{ D}). Therefore, NH3\text{NH}_3 has the maximum dipole moment among the given options .
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