Explain why HCl has a smaller dipole moment than HF, even

Solution 12P :

Step 1 of 1:

Here we have to explain why HCl has a smaller dipole moment than HF, though the H-Cl bond is longer than the H-F bond.

First, let’s see what is dipole moment and then we shall discuss on why HCl has small dipole moment than HF

Dipole moment is a measure of the polarity of the molecule, i.e it is a measure of the separation of two electrically opposite charges, i.e The difference in the electronegativity of the atoms or ions causes the dipole moment. Larger, the difference in electronegativity, larger is the dipole moment. Also the distance between the separation of charges decides the size of the dipole moment.