Intermolecular Forces | Chad's Prep

Intermolecular Force

The attractive force that occurs between separate molecules, significantly weaker than ionic or covalent bonds.

Hydrogen Bonding

A strong type of dipole-dipole force that occurs when hydrogen is bonded to highly electronegative atoms like fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen.

Dipole-Dipole Forces

Attractive forces between polar molecules that have permanent dipoles, where the positive end of one molecule is attracted to the negative end of another.

London Dispersion Forces

Weak intermolecular forces that arise from temporary dipoles created by the movement of electrons in nonpolar molecules.

Ion-Dipole Forces

Attractive forces between a polar molecule and an ion, typically stronger than hydrogen bonding, but not classified as intermolecular forces since they involve ions.

Polar Molecule

A molecule that has a permanent dipole moment due to differences in electronegativity between its atoms, resulting in partial positive and negative charges.

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a liquid's vapor pressure equals the external pressure, allowing molecules to escape into the gas phase, requiring the breaking of intermolecular forces.

Melting Point

The temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid, involving the overcoming of intermolecular forces holding the solid structure together.

Viscosity

A measure of a fluid's resistance to flow, influenced by the strength of intermolecular forces.

Surface Tension

The energy required to increase the surface area of a liquid, affected by the strength of intermolecular forces at the liquid's surface.

Molecular Compound

A compound composed of molecules held together by covalent bonds, which interact through intermolecular forces.

Temporary Dipole

A fleeting dipole that occurs in nonpolar molecules due to the movement of electrons, leading to London dispersion forces.

Electronegativity

The tendency of an atom to attract electrons in a bond, influencing the polarity of molecules.

Crystal Structure

The ordered arrangement of atoms or molecules in a solid, which can be affected by the type of intermolecular forces present.