Intermolecular Forces (IMF)

Section 6.5 p. 203

11/20/14
 IMF General Info
• The impact that intermolecular forces have on
molecules can be seen on how boiling points
are impacted.
– Reference Table 7 p. 204
• Generally, these forces are weaker than actual
chemical bonds, but are still important in
examining the properties of molecules.
 Dipoles and Polarity
• The strongest IMF exists between polar
molecules.
• Dipole = equal but opposite charges
separated by a short distance.
– Is represented by an arrow with its head pointing
to the negative pole.
– Ex: H - Cl
 Dipole and Polarity
• Polarity of diatomic molecules is determined by
1 Bond.
• Polarity for molecules with more than 1 Bond is
determined by orientation of each bond (aka
molecular geometry / shape).
– Figure 26 p. 205
• Ex: CO2 -> bond polarities between each C = O
cancel each other out bc the extend equally and
symmetrically in opposite directions.
 London Dispersion Forces
• Even Noble gas molecules that are nonpolar
experience weak IMF attraction.
• This is because electrons are in constant
motion and may cause the electron
distribution to be uneven within an atom /
molecule.
• When this happens instantaneous dipoles are
formed = “London dispersion forces.”
 London Dispersion Forces (LDFs)
• These forces increase with the number of
electrons present.

• So there is a trend:
– LDFs increase with increasing atomic #
– Ex: Low boiling point of Noble Gases.
 Practice Problems IMF
• Complete p. 210-211 #33-42, 43, 45, 46, 50
 Resonance Structures
• Some molecules cannot be represented
adequately by a single Lewis Structure.
• Ex: Ozone – O3
• In this example the two structure of ozone are
constantly alternating and therefore is no average
structure but 2 plausible version.
• We use a double headed arrow in between the
Lewis Structures to represent this.