Intermolecular Forces

Kinetic-Molecular Description
Intermolecular forces are attractive forces between molecules
Intramolecular forces hold atoms together in a molecule.
(covalent bond)

Intermolecular vs Intramolecular
• 41 kJ to vaporize 1 mole of water (inter)
• 930 kJ to break all O-H bonds in 1 mole of water (intra)

Generally, intermolecular
forces are much weaker than
intramolecular forces.(only
about 15% as strong)
 Types of Intermolecular Forces (IMF)
--- Should actually be called Interparticulate Forces
(molecules, ions, and/or atoms)
• Ion - ion forces
• Ion-dipole forces
• Dipole-dipole forces
• Dispersion Forces
• Hydrogen Bonds

Ion - ion forces: (lattice energy-ionic compound)

• Force depends on the charge on the ions and the

distance separating the ions

E = k Q+ Q-
r
 Intermolecular Forces

1. Ion-Dipole Forces

Attractive forces between an ion and a polar molecule

Example: ions in solution
Ion-Dipole Interaction
The strength of the interaction depends on the charge and
size of the ion and on the magnitude of the dipole moment
and size of the molecule.

Water molecules

Higher charge, smaller size strong interaction

 Intermolecular Forces

2. Dipole-Dipole Forces (permanent dipole moment)

Attractive forces between polar molecules

Orientation of Polar Molecules in a Solid

3. Temporary dipoles (Dispersion forces)

What attractive force occurs in nonpolar substances?

Attractive forces that arise as a result of temporary
dipoles induced in atoms or molecules
– Ion induced
– Dipole induced
– Instantaneous dipole

ion-induced dipole interaction

The electron distribution of atom is distorted
by the force exerted by the ions or polar
molecules.

dipole-induced dipole interaction

The likelihood of a dipole moment being induced depends not only
on the charge of the ion or the strength of the dipole but also on
the polarizability of the atom or molecules.

Polarizability is the ease with which the electron distribution

in the atom or molecule can be distorted.
Polarizability increases with:
• greater number of electrons
• more diffuse electron cloud

Dispersion forces usually increase

with molar mass (more electrons),
or size of the atom.

Melting point increases as

the number of electrons in
the molecule increase.
London Dispersion Force (Dispersion force)
Polarizability allows gases containing atoms or nonpolar
molecules (e.g.He,N2) to condense.

At any instant it is likely that the atom has a dipole moment

created by a specific positions of electrons. This dipole moment
is called instantaneous dipole.
Induced dipoles interacting with each other. This type of
interaction produces dispersion forces, which arise as a result of
temporary dipoles induced in atoms or molecules, is
responsible for the condensation of nonpolar gases.
**Dispersion force exists between all species.
 What type(s) of intermolecular forces exist between each of
the following molecules?

HBr
HBr is a polar molecule: dipole-dipole forces. There are
also dispersion forces between HBr molecules.

CH4
CH4 is nonpolar: dispersion forces.

S O
SO2 O
SO2 is a polar molecule: dipole-dipole forces. There are
also dispersion forces between SO2 molecules.
4. Hydrogen Bond

The hydrogen bond is a special dipole-dipole interaction

between the hydrogen atom in a polar N-H, O-H, or F-H bond
and an electronegative O, N, or F atom.

A H… B or A H…A
A & B are N, O, or F
Hydrogen Bonds:

• Strength of H bonds: up to 40 kJ/mol

• Lots of H bonds = strong
• compare with strength of typical covalent bonds:
250 kJ/mole)
Why is the hydrogen bond considered a “special”
dipole-dipole interaction?

Decreasing molar mass

Decreasing boiling point