Which type of intermolecular force is present between all substances, regardless of their polarity?

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

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that intermolecular forces are forces of attraction between molecules, not within molecules (which are intramolecular forces like ionic or covalent bonds).
2. Recognize that ionic bonding is an intramolecular force between ions in ionic compounds, so it is not an intermolecular force present between all substances.
3. Recall that hydrogen bonding is a special 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 substances.
4. Know that dipole-dipole interactions occur only between polar molecules, so they are not present in nonpolar substances.
5. Identify that London dispersion forces (also called induced dipole-induced dipole forces) arise from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution and are present in all molecules and atoms, regardless of polarity, making them the universal intermolecular force.