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Chemistry LibreTexts

Dielectric Constant

( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

The dielectric constant (symbol: ε) of a solvent is a measure of its polarity. The higher the dielectric constant of a solvent, the more polar it is.

eg:

dielectricconstant1.png

The dipole moment of water is higher than that of methanol; water is more polar than methanol. One practical consequence is a covalent solute dissociates into ions to a greater extent in water than in methanol.

dielectricconstant2.png

equilibrium constant for dissociation of MX : Kdis

dielectricconstant3.png


This page titled Dielectric Constant is shared under a All Rights Reserved (used with permission) license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gamini Gunawardena via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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