What is the Difference Between Induced Dipole and Permanent Dipole?

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The main difference between an induced dipole and a permanent dipole lies in their origin and stability:

  • Induced Dipole: An induced dipole moment occurs in a nonpolar compound due to the effect of an external electric field or the presence of nearby ions or polar molecules. When an external electric field distorts the electron cloud of a neutral molecule, an induced dipole moment is created. The induced dipole is temporary and can be affected by changing external factors.
  • Permanent Dipole: A permanent dipole moment arises in a polar compound due to uneven electron distribution between atoms with different electronegativities. In a polar molecule, the more electronegative atom attracts bond electrons more than the less electronegative atom, resulting in a permanent dipole in the molecule. The permanent dipole moment is not affected by changing external factors.

In summary, an induced dipole is temporary and can be influenced by external factors, while a permanent dipole is stable and persists in the absence of external influences.

Comparative Table: Induced Dipole vs Permanent Dipole

The main difference between an induced dipole and a permanent dipole lies in their origin and properties. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences:

Feature Induced Dipole Permanent Dipole
Origin Created in a nonpolar compound due to the effect of an external factor, such as a charged atom or dipole Occurs in a polar compound due to uneven distribution of electrons, resulting from differences in electronegativity between atoms
Direction Can change when external factors affecting the compound change Remains constant, as it is inherent to the molecule's structure
Polarization Temporary and can be induced by the presence of another dipole molecule Permanent and exists even in the absence of external factors
Interactions Dipole-induced dipole interactions occur between a permanent dipole in a molecule and a dipole it induces in another molecule Permanent dipoles can interact with other permanent dipoles or induce temporary dipoles in nonpolar molecules

In summary, an induced dipole is created in a nonpolar compound due to the influence of an external factor, such as a charged atom or dipole, and can change when the external factors change. On the other hand, a permanent dipole is inherent to a polar compound due to the uneven distribution of electrons between atoms with different electronegativity values and remains constant.