General Chemistry 2

Shape and Volume of Liquids and Solids

1. The shape and volume of gases are not definite because the molecules are widely separated, have negligible
attraction for one another, and are constantly moving rapidly in all directions so they can fill any shape and size of
container.
2. Liquid molecules are close enough to touch one another. They have attracted forces to keep them together so
that the total volume of a certain amount of them is definite. Since they can still move, slipping and sliding over
one another, the liquid continuous to conform to the shape of its container.
3. Solid particles are closely packed because of strong attractive forces among them. Their low kinetic energies
cause them to stay in fixed positions, resulting in definite shape and volume. At the atomic model, however,
vibrational motion of the molecules is observed.

Polar vs. Nonpolar

A MOLECULE WILL BE NONPOLAR IF:
1. All the terminal atoms (or groups) are the same.
2. All the terminal atoms (or groups) are symmetrically arranged around the central atom.
3. The terminal atoms (or groups) have the same charges.
A MOLECULE WILL BE POLAR IF:
1. One or more terminal atoms differ from each other.
2. At least one polar bond is present.
3. The terminal atoms are not symmetrically arranged.
4. The molecule has one slightly positive end and one slightly negative end.

Intermolecular forces of attraction – also known as Van der Waals forces named after a Dutch Chemist, Johannes van
der Wall; they are forces between molecules.

Types of Intermolecular Forces of Attarction:

1. Dispersion Forces – arise from the movement of electrons in the nonpolar molecules. Dispersion forces maybe the
weakest of intermolecular forces that can exist between two molecules, but the larger atoms present, the
stronger the dispersion forces. Further, the more atoms that make up the molecules, the stronger are the dispersion
forces. It is significant only when the atoms are close together. Ex. F2, Br2, CH4, C4H10

2. Dipole – dipole force – attractive forces between polar molecules.

In polar molecules the electrons are unevenly distributed because
some elements are more electronegative than others. The partial
negative side of one molecule is attracted to the partial
positive side of another molecule. This type of force is stronger
than the dispersion forces because polar molecules have permanent
uneven distribution of electrons. The nature of attraction is
electrostatic. The larger the dipole moment, the stronger the attraction.
Ex. HCl, H2S
3. Hydrogen bonding – a special type of
dipole – dipole interaction which occur
only in molecules that contain H
bonded to a small electronegative
atom like F, N, and O. (Ex. N – H, O – H, F – H)
Ex. Ammonia (NH3), Hydrogen fluoride (HF),
water (H2O)

4. Ion – dipole forces – attraction between

ionic and polar molecules; are involved
in solutions where an ionic compound
is dissolved into a polar solvent, like
that of a solution of table salt (NaCl) in water.
Ex. salt in water (NaCl in H2O)