Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

 
name         Jim F.
status       student
age          16

Question -   Do two polar molecules attract to one another or repel?
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Dear Jim,

Two polar molecules will attract one another. In just about any environment, but 
especially in the gas and liquid phases, polar molecules are free to quickly reorient 
themselves in space so that their dipole moments align in such a way as to produce a 
net attraction, which is lower energy than a repulsive orientation.

Best wishes,

Prof. Topper
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