Qstnid -15- Although Both Co<sub>2</sub> And H<sub>2</sub>o Are Triatomic Molecules, The Shape Of H<sub>2</sub>o Molecule Is Bent While That Of Co<sub>2</sub> Is Linear. Explain This On The Basis Of Dipole Moment. - 04: Chemical Bonding And Molecular Structure - Neet-xi-chemistry

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NEET-XI-Chemistry

04: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

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Qstn# 15 Prvs-Qstn Next-Qstn

#15
Although both CO₂ and H₂O are triatomic molecules, the shape of H₂O molecule is bent while that of CO₂ is linear. Explain this on the basis of dipole moment.

Ans : According to experimental results, the dipole moment of carbon dioxide is zero. This is possible only if the molecule is linear so that the dipole moments of C-O bonds are equal and opposite to nullify each other.

Resultant μ = 0 D

H₂O, on the other hand, has a dipole moment value of 1.84 D (though it is a triatomic molecule as CO₂). The value of the dipole moment suggests that the structure of H₂O molecule is bent where the dipole moment of O-H bonds are unequal.