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If a molecule has different charges at different ends, it is called a polar molecule, or a dipole. Dipoles occur when the electronegativity of the atoms in the molecule force the electrons to be pulled more towards one side. An example of a polar molecule is H2O. Since Oxygen has a greater electronegativity than Hydrogen, the molecules are pulled towards the Oxygen more than they are towards the Hydrogen.

There are cases when a molecule seems like it would be polar, but isn't. For instance, CH4 has polar bonds, but the molecule itself is not polar. To determine why, you have to draw out a structural diagram of CH4. Since the Hydrogens (atoms of equal electronegativity) are diametrically opposite one another, the molecule is nonpolar. That does not mean that a molecule like CH2Cl2 would be nonpolar, since there is still a great difference in the electronegativity of Hydrogen and Chlorine.

An electronegativity difference of 0.5 or less is considered insignificant.

Additionally, what you are referring to may be Vander Waals Forces (or London Dispersion Forces) which create temporary dipoles.

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