Question

Define dipole moment. What are the units and symbol for dipole moment?

Short answer

Dipole moment is a measure of the separation of positive and negative charges, represented by the symbol \(\mu\), and its unit of measurement in the SI is the Debye, even though Coulomb meter (C.m) is also used.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Dipole Moment

Dipole moment is a measure of the separation of positive and negative electric charges in a system, which creates a magnetic field. It's a vector quantity that has both magnitude and direction. The direction of the dipole moment is from the negative charge towards the positive charge.

The Unit of Dipole Moment

The SI unit of dipole moment is the Debye. However, it is often expressed in the smaller unit of Coulomb meter (C.m) in the scientific world.

The Symbol of Dipole Moment

The commonly used symbol to represent dipole moment is \(\mu\).