What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dipole
Example
Water is a polar molecule because it has a dipole moment. [dipole: noun]
Example
The electric field of a dipole decreases as the distance from the dipole increases. [dipole: adjective]
charge
Example
The electron has a negative charge. [charge: noun]
Example
The battery is fully charged and ready to use. [charged: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Charge is more commonly used than dipole in everyday language. Charge is a fundamental concept in physics and is used in a wide range of contexts, while dipole is a more specialized term used mainly in chemistry and electromagnetism.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dipole and charge?
Both dipole and charge are technical terms used in scientific contexts and are considered formal language.
