Which type of intermolecular force is present in Cl_2 molecules?

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

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular structure and polarity of Cl_2. Since Cl_2 is a diatomic molecule consisting of two identical chlorine atoms, it is nonpolar because the electronegativity difference is zero and the electron distribution is symmetrical.
2. Recall that hydrogen bonding occurs only when hydrogen is directly bonded to highly electronegative atoms like N, O, or F, which is not the case for Cl_2.
3. Understand that dipole-dipole forces require polar molecules with permanent dipoles, but Cl_2 is nonpolar, so dipole-dipole forces are not present.
4. Ion-dipole forces occur between ions and polar molecules, which does not apply to Cl_2 since it is a neutral, nonpolar molecule.
5. Recognize that the only intermolecular forces present in nonpolar molecules like Cl_2 are London dispersion forces, which arise from temporary fluctuations in electron density creating instantaneous dipoles.