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Intermolecular Forces in General Chemistry

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Terms in this set (20)

  • What are intermolecular forces?
    Intermolecular forces are the forces of attraction or repulsion between molecules, affecting physical properties like boiling and melting points.
  • Name the four main types of intermolecular forces.
    London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, hydrogen bonding, and ion-dipole forces.
  • What causes London dispersion forces?
    Temporary fluctuations in electron distribution create instantaneous dipoles, inducing attraction between nonpolar molecules.
  • Which molecules experience London dispersion forces?
    All molecules experience London dispersion forces, but they are the only intermolecular force in nonpolar molecules.
  • What are dipole-dipole interactions?
    Attractions between the positive end of one polar molecule and the negative end of another polar molecule.
  • How does molecular polarity affect dipole-dipole forces?
    Stronger molecular polarity leads to stronger dipole-dipole interactions.
  • What is hydrogen bonding?
    A strong dipole-dipole interaction occurring when hydrogen is bonded to N, O, or F and attracted to a lone pair on another N, O, or F.
  • Why is hydrogen bonding stronger than regular dipole-dipole interactions?
    Because of the high electronegativity of N, O, or F and the small size of hydrogen, which allows close approach of molecules.
  • What are ion-dipole forces?
    Attractions between an ion and the partial charges on a polar molecule.
  • Where are ion-dipole forces commonly found?
    In solutions where ionic compounds dissolve in polar solvents like water.
  • How do intermolecular forces affect boiling points?
    Stronger intermolecular forces require more energy to separate molecules, resulting in higher boiling points.
  • Compare the strength order of intermolecular forces.
    Ion-dipole > hydrogen bonding > dipole-dipole > London dispersion forces.
  • What role do intermolecular forces play in solubility?
    Like dissolves like: substances with similar intermolecular forces tend to be soluble in each other.
  • How do molecular size and shape affect London dispersion forces?
    Larger and more surface-area molecules have stronger London dispersion forces due to increased polarizability.
  • What is polarizability?
    The ease with which the electron cloud of a molecule can be distorted to form instantaneous dipoles.
  • Why do noble gases have low boiling points?
    They are nonpolar atoms with only weak London dispersion forces between them.
  • How does hydrogen bonding affect water's properties?
    Hydrogen bonding causes water's high boiling point, surface tension, and solid form being less dense than liquid.
  • What is the difference between intramolecular and intermolecular forces?
    Intramolecular forces hold atoms together within a molecule; intermolecular forces act between molecules.
  • How do intermolecular forces influence vapor pressure?
    Stronger intermolecular forces lower vapor pressure because fewer molecules escape into the gas phase.
  • What is the effect of temperature on intermolecular forces?
    Increasing temperature provides energy to overcome intermolecular forces, leading to phase changes like evaporation.