Although both CO2 and H2O are triatomic molecules, the shape of H2O mo

1.	Although both CO2 and H2O are triatomic molecules, the shape of H2O molecules is bent while that of CO2 is linear. Explain this on the basis of dipole moment.
Answer» The H₂O molecules has a dipole moment of 1.84 D. There are two OH bonds in H₂O molecule. The O-H bonds are polar and has dipole moment of 1.5 D. Since the water molecule has a net dipole, hence the two O-H dipoles are not in a straight line opposing each other. This rule out the linear structure (H-O-H) for water. The two O-H bonds cannot lie along the same line in the direction also. Therefore, the two O-H bonds in H₂O molecule must be inclined to each other at certain angle. Thus H₂O molecule has an angular shape. The CO₂ molecules has zero dipole moment. In CO₂, there are two C=O bonds. Each C=O bond is a polar bond. This means each bond has a dipole moment. Since, the net dipole of the CO₂ molecule is zero, hence the two bond dipoles, and hence the two bonds must be just opposite to each other, i.e., the two bonds must be at 180° relative to each other. Thus CO₂ is a linear molecule.

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

Answer»

The H₂O molecules has a dipole moment of 1.84 D. There are two OH bonds in H₂O molecule. The O-H bonds are polar and has dipole moment of 1.5 D. Since the water molecule has a net dipole, hence the two O-H dipoles are not in a straight line opposing each other. This rule out the linear structure (H-O-H) for water. The two O-H bonds cannot lie along the same line in the direction also. Therefore, the two O-H bonds in H₂O molecule must be inclined to each other at certain angle. Thus H₂O molecule has an angular shape.

The CO₂ molecules has zero dipole moment. In CO₂, there are two C=O bonds. Each C=O bond is a polar bond. This means each bond has a dipole moment. Since, the net dipole of the CO₂ molecule is zero, hence the two bond dipoles, and hence the two bonds must be just opposite to each other, i.e., the two bonds must be at 180° relative to each other. Thus CO₂ is a linear molecule.

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

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