KYLE DARREN P.

PUNZALAN

STEM 102

Intermolecular forces or IMFs are physical forces

between molecules. In contrast, intramolecular forces are forces
between atoms within a single molecule. Intermolecular forces are
weaker than intramolecular forces.

The interaction between intermolecular forces may be used to

describe how molecules interact with each other. The strength or
weakness of intermolecular forces determines the state of matter of a
substance (e.g., solid, liquid, gas) and some of the chemical
properties (e.g., melting point, structure). There are three major types
of intermolecular forces: London dispersion force, dipole-dipole
interaction, and ion-dipole interaction.

Key Takeaways: Intermolecular Forces

 Intermolecular forces act between molecules. In contrast,

intramolecular forces act within molecules.
 Intermolecular forces are weaker than intramolecular forces.
 Examples of intermolecular forces include the London dispersion
force, dipole-dipole interation, ion-dipole interaction, and van der
Waals forces.

Here's a closer look at these 3 intermolecular forces, with examples of

each type.

London Dispersion Force

The London dispersion force is also known as LDF, London forces,

dispersion forces, instantaneous dipole forces, induced dipole forces,
or the induced dipole-induced dipole force

The London dispersion force is the weakest of the intermolecular

forces.This is the force between two nonpolar molecules.
The electrons of one molecule are attracted to the nucleus of the other
molecule, while repelled by the other molecule's electrons. A dipole is
induced when the electron clouds of the molecules are distorted by the
attractive and repulsive electrostatic forces.
Example: An example of London dispersion force is the interaction
between two methyl (-CH3) groups.

Example: Another examples is the interaction between nitrogen gas

(N2) and oxygen gas (O2) molecules. The electrons of the atoms are not
only attracted to their own atomic nucleus, but also to the protons in
the nucleus of the other atoms.

Dipole-Dipole Interaction

Dipole-dipole interaction occurs whenever two polar molecules get

near each other. The positively charged portion of one molecule is
attracted to the negatively charged portion of another molecule. Since
many molecules are polar, this is a common intermolecular force.

Example: An example of dipole-dipole interaction is the interaction

between two sulfur dioxide (SO2) molecules, where the sulfur atom of
one molecule is attracted to the oxygen atoms of the other molecule.

Example: Hydrogen bonding is considered a specific example of a

dipole-dipole interaction always involving hydrogen. A hydrogen atom
of one molecule is attracted to an electronegative atom of another
molecule, such as an oxygen atom in water.

Ion-Dipole Interaction

Ion-dipole interaction occurs when an ion encounters a polar molecule.

In this case, the charge of the ion determines which part of the
molecule attracts and which repels. A cation or positive ion would be
attracted to the negative part of a molecule and repelled by the
positive part. An anion or negative ion would be attracted to the
positive part of a molecule and repelled by the negative part.

Example: An example of the ion-dipole interaction is the interaction

between a Na+ion and water (H2O) where the sodium ion and oxygen
atom are attracted to each other, while the sodium and hydrogen are
repelled by each other.

Van der Waals Forces

Van der Waals forces are the interaction between uncharged atoms or
molecules. The forces are used to explain the universal attraction
between bodies, the physical adsorption of gases, and the cohesion of
condensed phases. The van der Waals forces include Keesom
interaction, the Debye force, and the London dispersion force. So, van
der Waals forces include intermolecular forces and also some
intramolecular forces.