When determining partial negatives and partial positives, does the partial postive go with the more electronegative atom? Ex: C=O, the polarity arrow goes toward the O because its more electronegative than the C but which atom gets the partial negative and which has the partial positive?

Question

When determining partial negatives and partial positives, does the partial postive go with the more electronegative atom?  Ex: C=O, the polarity arrow goes toward the O because its more electronegative than the C but which atom gets the partial negative and which has the partial positive?

bobpursley · Answer

The dipole moment by convention points to the more positive region, in the case of CO, it will point toward the C from the O. The atom gaining electrons (more electronegative) is the partial negative.