Which of the following is the strongest type of intermolecular force?

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

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the types of intermolecular forces listed: Ion-dipole interactions, London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding.
2. Step 2: Recall that London dispersion forces are the weakest and arise from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution in molecules, present in all molecules but especially significant in nonpolar ones.
3. Step 3: Recognize that dipole-dipole interactions occur between polar molecules due to the attraction between positive and negative ends of permanent dipoles, making them stronger than London dispersion forces.
4. Step 4: Know that ion-dipole interactions occur between an ion and a polar molecule, which are generally stronger than dipole-dipole interactions because ions have full charges rather than partial charges.
5. Step 5: Identify hydrogen bonding as a special, very strong type of dipole-dipole interaction that occurs when hydrogen is bonded to highly electronegative atoms like nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine, resulting in the strongest intermolecular force among the options given.