Vocabulary List: Polar vs Non-Polar Molecules and Intermolecular Forces

1. Molecule

   - A group of two or more atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound.

2. Polar Molecule

   - A molecule with an uneven distribution of charge, resulting in a positive end and a negative end (dipole).

3. Non-Polar Molecule

   - A molecule with an even distribution of charge, lacking distinct positive or negative ends.

4. Hydrophilic

   - A term describing substances that mix well with water, typically polar molecules.

5. Hydrophobic

   - A term describing substances that do not mix well with water, typically non-polar molecules.

6. Intermolecular Forces

   - The attractions between molecules that influence their physical properties, such as boiling and melting points.

7. Hydrogen Bond

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

8. Dipole-Dipole Interaction

   - An attractive force between the positive end of one polar molecule and the negative end of another polar molecule.

9. London Dispersion Forces

   - The weakest type of intermolecular force, present in all molecules, resulting from temporary shifts in electron density, particularly significant in non-polar molecules.

10. Solubility

    - The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent, often influenced by the polarity of the molecules involved.

11. Biochemistry

    - The branch of science that explores the chemical processes within and related to living organisms.

12. Pharmacology

    - The study of drugs and their effects on living systems, including how molecular interactions influence drug formulation and efficacy.

13. Environmental Science

    - The study of the interactions between the physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment, including the impact of substances like pollutants.