Question

Which compound has a larger dipole moment: CH₃Cl or CH₂Cl₂?

Short answer

Dipole moment of CHCl₃ is greater than CH₂Cl₂ as all the bond moments are acting in the same direction in the former one.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of dipole moment

Dipole moment is defined as the multiplication of charge of an atom and the distance between the two atoms joined by a bond.

It is given as the formula.

Dipole moment=charge(e) X distance between two atoms (d)

Explanation of the dipole moment between two bonds

In case of CHCl₃, all the bond moments acts on the same side, but for CH₂Cl₂, One C-H bond moment direction is opposite than the other three bonds moments of C-Cl and C-H. Which decreases te total dipole moment of the compound. So, the dipole moment for CHCl₃ becomes greater than CH₂Cl_2.