Molecular Forces and States of Matter Practice Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the characteristics of states of matter and the various types of intermolecular and intramolecular forces.

Solids

A state of matter where particles are tightly packed, often in a regular pattern, and vibrate in fixed positions without moving in relation to one another.

Liquids

A state of matter where particles are close together but have no regular arrangement, and move past each other while remaining essentially in contact at all times.

Gases

A state of matter where particles are far apart with no regular arrangement and move independently of each other except during collisions.

Intermolecular forces (IMFs)

The various forces of attraction that exist between the atoms and molecules of a substance due to electrostatic phenomena.

Intramolecular forces

Forces within a molecule that keep the molecule together, which are generally stronger than intermolecular forces.

Kinetic Energy

The amount of energy associated with movement, which increases with temperature and works to move particles further apart.

Van der Waals forces

The attractive forces between neutral atoms and molecules, which include dispersion forces, dipole-dipole attraction, and hydrogen bonding.

Fritz London

The scientist who first explained dispersion forces in 1928.

Dispersion forces (London forces)

Weak attractive forces that exist between all particles due to the electrostatic attraction of rapidly fluctuating temporary dipoles caused by constant electron movement.

Instantaneous dipole

A temporary dipole that occurs for a brief moment in time when the electrons of an atom or molecule are distributed asymmetrically.

Induced dipole

A temporary dipole formed when the electrons of an atom or molecule are distorted by the instantaneous dipole of a neighboring atom or molecule.

Polarizability

A measure of how easy or how difficult it is for an external electrostatic charge to distort a molecule's charge distribution or its electron cloud.

Dipole

A separation of charge within a molecule due to an uneven distribution of electrons, resulting in a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other.

Dipole-dipole attraction

The attractive electrostatic force between the partially positive end of one polar molecule and the partially negative end of another.

Hydrogen bonding

A particularly strong dipole-dipole attraction that occurs in molecules containing intramolecular bonds between hydrogen and either $F$, $O$, or $N$.