Which intermolecular force is present in all molecules and atoms?

• A. Ion-dipole forces
• B. Dipole-dipole interactions
• C. London dispersion forces
• D. Hydrogen bonding

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that intermolecular forces are the forces of attraction or repulsion between molecules or atoms.
2. Recognize that ion-dipole forces occur only between ions and polar molecules, so they are not present in all molecules and atoms.
3. Know that dipole-dipole interactions occur only between polar molecules, so they are not universal to all molecules and atoms.
4. Recall that hydrogen bonding is a special, strong type of dipole-dipole interaction that occurs only when hydrogen is bonded to highly electronegative atoms like N, O, or F, so it is not present in all molecules and atoms.
5. Identify that London dispersion forces (also called induced dipole-induced dipole forces) arise from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution in all atoms and molecules, making them the only intermolecular force present in all molecules and atoms.