The dipole moment of the molecules, which are made up of three or more than three atoms, are determined by the molecular geometry and polarity of bonds. The molecules which have atoms of the same elements have almost zero dipole moment and are therefore known as non-polar molecules. The molecules which have atoms of different electronegativities have some dipole moment and are thus known as polar molecules. This separation of charges can be confirmed in the presence of an electric field, where the negative end (F) of hydrogen fluoride (HF) orients towards the positive plate, while the positive end (H) of hydrogen fluoride (HF) orients towards the negative plate. Here, delta (δ)represents the partial charge on atoms. Since fluorine (F) is more electronegative than hydrogen (H), the electron density shifts from hydrogen (H) atom to fluorine (F) atom. The electron shifting is represented by a cross arrow as shown below. Hydrogen fluoride (HF) is a covalent compound having a polar bond.

He was awarded Nobel Prize in 1936 for his significant contribution to the study of molecular structure, electrolytic solution, and X-ray analysis. The conversion factor for 1 Debye is as follows:ġ D = 3.336 × 1 0 − 30 C m 1D = 3.336 imes 1 D = 3. Mathematically, dipole moment is calculated by multiplying charge 'Q' and the distance 'r' between the opposite charges.ĭebye (D) is the unit of the dipole moment. The word “Debye” is given after the name of the American chemist Peter Joseph William Debye. The dipole moment (μ) is a measurement of the bond's polarity.

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