In which of the following pairs, both molecules possess dipole moment?

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Question

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AIIMS BSc NURSING 2024 Memory-Based Paper

Answer 1

CONCEPT:

Dipole Moment

The dipole moment is a measure of the separation of positive and negative electrical charges within a molecule.
A molecule has a dipole moment if it has polar bonds that do not cancel each other out. This happens when there is an asymmetric distribution of electron density.

EXPLANATION:

Option 1: CO₂ and BCl₃
- CO₂ is a linear molecule with two polar bonds that cancel each other out, resulting in zero dipole moment.
- BCl₃ is a trigonal planar molecule where the dipoles cancel out, resulting in zero dipole moment.
Option 2: BCl₃ and NF₃
- BCl₃ has zero dipole moment as explained above.
- NF₃ has a trigonal pyramidal shape with a net dipole moment due to the lone pair on nitrogen and the difference in electronegativities between N and F.
Option 3: CO₂ and SO₂
- CO₂ has zero dipole moment as explained above.
- SO₂ has a bent shape and a net dipole moment due to the difference in electronegativities between S and O.
Option 4: SO₂ and NF₃
- SO₂ has a bent shape and a net dipole moment as explained above.
- NF₃ has a net dipole moment as explained above.
- Both molecules possess dipole moments, making this the correct answer.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 4: SO₂ and NF₃.