PARTIAL CHARGE Meaning and
Definition
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Partial charge refers to a concept in chemistry and physics that describes the unequal distribution of electric charge within a molecule or an atom. It arises as a result of the presence of polar bonds or asymmetrical distribution of electrons in a molecule.
When two atoms in a chemical species differ in their electronegativity, the more electronegative atom tends to pull the shared electrons closer to itself, resulting in a partial negative charge (-δ) on that atom. Conversely, the less electronegative atom experiences a partial positive charge (+δ). This phenomenon is observed in polar covalent bonds, where the electrons are not shared equally between the participating atoms.
The partial charges are designated by the Greek letter delta (δ), which represents the deviation from a fully neutral charge. For example, in a water molecule (H2O), oxygen attracts the shared electrons more strongly than hydrogen, causing a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom and partial positive charges on the hydrogen atoms.
Partial charges play a crucial role in many chemical interactions and reactions. They influence the formation and stabilization of hydrogen bonds between molecules. Partial charges also contribute to the solubility of compounds in polar solvents, as charged species can interact with the solvent molecules.
Overall, the concept of partial charge helps to explain the behavior and properties of molecules, and it provides insight into the distribution of electric charge within chemical species.
Etymology of PARTIAL CHARGE
The word "partial" comes from the Latin word "partialis", which means "pertaining to a part". The term "charge" refers to a property of matter related to electromagnetic force. The etymology of "charge" traces back to the Latin word "carricare", meaning "to load" or "to burden". In the context of chemistry and physics, "charge" refers to an electrical property of atoms and molecules.
When the term "partial" combines with "charge", it is used to describe a situation where there is an unequal distribution of electrons within a molecule or atom. A partial charge indicates an imbalanced distribution of electric charge, resulting in a molecule or atom being slightly more positively charged or slightly more negatively charged.
