Question

Which of the following molecules may have a dipole movement?

(a) N2

(b) CH4

(c) BeF2

(d) H2O

This question was posed to me in final exam.

My question is based upon Bond Parameters topic in portion Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure of Chemistry – Class 11

Answer 1

Correct option is (d) H2O

To elaborate: The dipole movement is given by the product of charge and the distance of separation between atoms. It is expressed in Debye units (D). For the molecules N2, CH4 and BeF2 the net dipole movement is zero as they cancel each other due to symmetry. But water molecule due to its V-shape exhibits dipole movement.