The O¬H bond lengths in the water molecule 1H2O2 are 96 pm, and the H¬O¬H angle is 104.5°. The dipole moment of the water molecule is 1.85 D. (b) Calculate the magnitude of the bond dipole of the O¬H bonds. (Note: You will need to use vector addition to do this.)

Key Concepts

Bond Dipole Moment

The bond dipole moment is a measure of the polarity of a bond, arising from the difference in electronegativity between the bonded atoms. In a polar bond, the electron density is unevenly distributed, creating a dipole with a positive and a negative end. The bond dipole is represented as a vector, with its magnitude proportional to the charge difference and the distance between the charges.

Vector Addition

Vector addition is a mathematical process used to combine vectors, which have both magnitude and direction. In the context of dipole moments, the individual bond dipoles of a molecule can be represented as vectors that need to be added together to find the resultant dipole moment. This involves considering both the magnitudes of the dipoles and their angles relative to each other.

Molecular Geometry

Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. The shape of a molecule, determined by bond angles and bond lengths, influences its physical and chemical properties, including polarity. In water (H2O), the bent shape due to the 104.5° H-O-H angle contributes to its overall dipole moment, affecting how it interacts with other molecules.