Polarity and Dipole Moments Vocabulary

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers the fundamental concepts of molecular polarity and dipole moments as described in Chemistry 121 - Handout 31.

Polar Molecule

A molecule that is considered polar if one part of the molecule is positive and another part is negative.

Dipole Moment

A representation of polarity using an arrow (or vector) that points from the positive towards the negative partial charges.

Non-polar Molecule (Bond Criteria)

A molecule that does not have a dipole because its bonds are non-polar.

Non-polar Molecule (Domain Criteria)

A molecule where the central atom is surrounded by $2$, $3$, or $4$ identical electron domains, resulting in no dipole moment.

Polar Polyatomic Molecules

Most polyatomic molecules with polar bonds that have net dipole moments.

Trigonal Bipyramidal Polarity

A molecule with $5$ domains that has no dipole if all atoms around the central atom are the same.

Octahedral Polarity

A molecule with $6$ domains that has no dipole if all atoms around the central atom are the same.

Dipole Vector Direction

The direction in which the dipole moment arrow points, specifically from the positive partial charges toward the negative partial charges.