Although bothCO_(2) and H_(2) Oare triatomic molecules, the shape of H_(2)Omolecule is bent while that ofCO_(2) is linear . Explain these on the basis of dipole mement.

Although bothCO_(2) and H_(2) Oare triatomic molecules, the shape of H

1.	Although bothCO_(2) and H_(2) Oare triatomic molecules, the shape of H_(2)Omolecule is bent while that ofCO_(2) is linear . Explain these on the basis of dipole mement.
Answer» Solution :The dipole mement STUDIES show that the dipole moment of `CO_(2)`molecule is zero . This is POSSIBLE only if ` CO_(2)`is a linear molecule ` ((O = C=O))` so that diple moment of C-Oare equal and opposite and HENCE cancel out . On the other hand, `H_(2) O ` molecule is found to have a net dipole moment (1.84 D) thought it contains 2 O-H bonds . This shows that it is a bent molecule