Intermolecular Forces and Bond Polarities Questions

These flashcards cover key concepts on electronegativity, types of bonds, molecular polarity, and intermolecular forces, helping to clarify important ideas for exam preparation.

What is electronegativity?

The relative strength of attraction of an atom to a shared pair of electrons in a covalent bond.

What does the Pauling electronegativity scale indicate?

It is a ranking system without units that compares the electronegativity of different atoms.

What type of bond does hydrogen have?

Hydrogen has a pure covalent bond, meaning there is equal sharing of electrons between atoms.

What is a polar covalent bond?

A bond where electrons are shared unequally, resulting in one atom being more electronegative.

What represents the dipole moment in a polar bond?

The dipole moment is represented by an arrow pointing towards the more electronegative atom.

How can a molecule be classified based on dipole moments?

A molecule can be polar (with an overall dipole) or non-polar (without an overall dipole).

What influences molecular polarity?

Molecular symmetry influences polarity; symmetrical molecules tend to be non-polar, while asymmetrical ones are polar.

What is the weakest type of intermolecular force?

London dispersion forces are the weakest type of intermolecular force.

What are dipole-dipole attractions?

Forces that occur between polar molecules due to the attraction between their partial positive and negative charges.

What characterizes hydrogen bonds?

Hydrogen bonds are strong intermolecular forces formed between a hydrogen atom attached to N, O, or F, and a lone pair on an electronegative atom in a different molecule.

What is the significance of van der Waals forces?

Van der Waals forces are weak attractions between neutral molecules that help form aggregates, such as liquids and solids.

What impact does hydrogen bonding have on water?

Hydrogen bonding in water results in a higher melting and boiling point compared to other molecules of similar size.

How does a temporary dipole form?

An instantaneous dipole occurs when electrons are unevenly distributed due to random motion, creating an induced dipole in another molecule.