What does dipole moment measure?

Dipole moment is a quantitative measure of the polarity of a molecule, which indicates how charge is distributed within that molecule. It reflects the separation of positive and negative charges due to differences in electronegativity between atoms bonded together. When atoms have different electronegativities, one atom attracts the shared electron pair more strongly than the other, leading to a partial negative charge on one atom and a partial positive charge on the other. The dipole moment is represented as a vector quantity, pointing from the positive to the negative charge, and its magnitude is determined by the amount of charge separation and the distance between the charges.

This concept is essential in understanding molecular behavior, including interactions with electric fields, solubility in polar or nonpolar solvents, and various chemical reactivity patterns. As such, dipole moments play a crucial role in predicting and explaining the properties of molecules in physical and chemical contexts.