Debye (unit of electric dipole moment)

The Debye is a unit measuring the size of an electric dipole, which is a separation of positive and negative charges within a molecule. It quantifies how strongly a molecule can interact with electric fields. One Debye (symbol: D) equals approximately 3.33 × 10⁻³ coulomb-meters. Think of it like a tiny electric "stick," with positive and negative charges at each end. The larger the Debye value, the more pronounced the molecule's polarity, influencing properties like solubility and reactivity. This measurement helps scientists understand how molecules behave in electric and magnetic environments.