Which of these has nonzero orientation polarization? #"NH"_3#, #"BF"_3#

1 Answer
Aug 11, 2017

Orientation polarization is just the tendency to align the dipole of a molecule in the direction of the electric field to which it is subjected. This can only occur with molecules that have permanent dipole moments.

#"BF"_3# is trigonal planar, and #"NH"_3# is trigonal pyramidal. The former is a symmetrical triangle, and the latter has a dipole moment upwards through the nitrogen.

Thus, #"NH"_3# will have a nonzero orientation polarization...