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In a polar molecules, the arrangement of atoms is such that the molecule has a permanent dipole moment because of charge separation. Water molecule is an example of a polar molecule. |
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When a non-polar molecule is put in an electric field, the electric forces cause a small separation of the charges. The molecule thereby acquires an induced dipole moment.
A polar molecule, which has a dipole moment in the absence of the electric field, gets its dipole moment aligned in the direction of the field. In addition, the magnitude of the dipole moment may also increase because of increased separation of the charges.
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