The electric dipole moment, a vector, is directed along the line from negative charge toward positive charge. Dipole moments tend to point along the direction of the surrounding electric field.
Where do dipoles exist?
A dipole exists when there are areas of asymmetrical positive and negative charges in a molecule. Dipole moments increase with ionic bond character and decrease with covalent bond character.
Where does the molecular dipole point?
The molecule is electrically neutral: 2δ + + δ2− = 0. Because of symmetry the vector has one non-vanishing component; it points from the negative to the positive region of the molecule. Being a charge distribution, a molecule may possess a permanent electric dipole, a vector known as the molecular dipole.
