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Glite Dictionary
dipolar

dipolar

7.9
Having two opposite electric charges or magnetic poles close together
  • adjective
  • /ˈdaɪˌpoʊlər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dipolar
  • The sea floor is magnetized along a north-south axis, but seamounts and volcanic islands are like big dipolar magnets, interrupting the larger pattern.
  • dipolar coupling
  • dipolar magnetic field

They interact with that magnetic field and the Earth is giant dipolar magnet.

Examples

  • The molecule is dipolar because it has both a positive and a negative charge separated by a small distance.

  • But Mariner 10 surprised the whole planetary science community when it found a dipolar magnetic field surrounding Mercury.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Normally, planetary dipolar magnetic fields are generated by a rotating liquid metallic core or dynamo and are characterized by strong magnetic field lines.

    Academic text (2007)

  • In physics class, we learned that a dipolar system consists of two opposite charges that create an electric field.

  • Water is a dipolar molecule, meaning it has a slightly positive end and a slightly negative end.

Synonyms

polar
vsdipolar
  • Specialized
10 6.4

Having a positive end and a negative end because charges are not even

includes electric or magnetic opposite poles in systems beyond molecules

How Polar

dipolar
  • Specialized
7.9
polar
  • Specialized
10 6.4
nonpolar
  • Specialized
6.7

Surface Forms

dipolar positive

Morphology

dipolar = polar (transparent) = di + polar

Formed by the productive prefix 'di-' (two) attached to 'polar', so the meaning 'having two poles' is directly inferable.

Etymology

Dipolar comes from the part di- meaning 'two' and polar, from pole, as in the Earth's 'North and South poles'. So a dipolar thing has two opposite poles or charges, like a magnet with a north and a south side.