Illustrated Glossary of Organic Chemistry

Dipole moment (μ): A measure of a molecule's overall polarity, as the vector sum of all the bond dipoles. The dipole moment unit is the Debye (D). Maybe indicated next to a molecular structure with an arrow , in which the barbed end points to the electron-rich end of the molecular dipole moment vector. (In some disciplines the barbed end points to the electron-deficient end of the molecular dipole moment vector.) Related to, but not identical with, dielectric constant (ε).

Dipole moment in water, a polar molecule.


Dipole moment in carbon tetrachloride, a nonpolar molecule.