Which molecule has the largest dipole moment?
A) HF
B) HI
C) HBr
D) HCl
E) All of the molecules have the same dipole moment.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The dipole moment of a molecule is determined by the difference in electronegativity between the atoms and the shape of the molecule. Fluorine is the most electronegative element among these choices, while hydrogen is the least electronegative. In HF, the polar bond (due to the high electronegativity difference) is also elongated due to the geometry of the molecule, resulting in the largest dipole moment. This is not the case for the other choices, where the dipole moment is smaller due to either the lower electronegativity difference or the different molecular shape.

Which Molecule Has the Largest Dipole Moment