Short answer:
The delta is a measure of the electronegativity difference of the
two atoms of the covalent bond. A quick and dirty measure of the
electronegativity of the atoms of the Periodic Table is the Pauling scale.
Try: http://www.webelements.com/webelements/properties/text/definitions/electrone
g-pauling.html
Long Answer:
involves so many adjustable parameters that the exercise seems pointless to
anyone but a chemist. Not only do the atoms, oxidation states and geometry
of the molecule matter but all of this is subject to "intermolecular" fields
from neighboring molecules. You have to remember that unless the molecule
is in a very dilute gas phase, neighbors matter. Solvation is non-trivial.
THO
Thomas O'Neill
o'neill@csvrgs.k12.va.us
Physics
oneill@csvrgs.k12.va.us
C Shenandoah Valley R Governor's School 540.245.5088
-----Original Message-----
From: Justin Parke [mailto:FIZIX29@AOL.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, 12 February, 2002 11:38
To: PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu
Subject: water molecule
Does anyone know how much charge is associated with the oxygen atom and the
hydrogen atoms in a water molecule? The chemistry books show "2delta -" and
"delta +" but do not indicate what delta is. Nor do the websites I have
visited so far.
I am trying to come up with an interesting problem similar to the "point
charges located on the vertices of an equilateral triangle," dealing with
electric fields and potential, but perhaps more "realistic" in the sense
that the students may be better able to relate to the water molecule.
Several of them are in AP Chemistry.
If anyone is aware of either data I can use or problems others have written,
I would appreciate your help. Thanks