General Types of

Intermolecular Forces
INTERMOLECULAR FORCES are attractive coulombic interaction
between molecules. One example of coulombic attraction is in
the form of ionic bonding. This attractive forces is between Two
oppositely charged ions.
Neutral molecules with partial charges can also exhibit attractive
forces. They are partial responsible for the properties associated
with particular substances. On the other hand, the attractive
force between two polar substances is called a DIPOLE-DIPOLE
ATTRACTION. Let us consider a diatomic molecule, say, HF. The
electrons are not shared equally between the atoms H and F.
The H end has a partially positive charge while the F end has a
partially negative charge.
The strength of intermolecular forces determines the
state of a substance under a given set of conditions. HF
for example is a gas at room temperature and ordinary
pressure. Under conditions where HF is less energetic,
the intermolecular forces will draw them closer together
(at either Low temperature or higher pressure), so that
the substance is a Liquid. The strength of intermolecular
forces also depends on the molar mass of the substance.
For comparable molar masses intermolecular forces of
attraction increase with increasing polarity.
This discussion on intermolecular forces will revolve
around, attractive forces that act between atoms or
Molecules of pure-substance. They are
collectively called VAN DER WAALS FORCES.
includes under this category are dipole-dipole
interactions, hydrogen bonding dispersion
forces, and ion dipole interactions.
(1) Dipole-dipole interactions
Attractive force that act between polar molecules are
called dipole-dipole interactions. Diatomic molecules made up
of elements with significantly different electronegativities like
HCI have partial charges, positive at one end and negative at
the end. This is due to the unequal distribution of electron
density between the atoms of the diatomic molecule. The
magnitude of the attractive forces depends upon the
magnitude of the dipole. The partial positive charge on one
molecule gets attracted to the partial negative charge of
another molecule in the vicinity. The larger the charges of the
dipoles, the greater the attractive forces between them.
Certain physical properties of the substance reflect the
magnitude of the dipole-dipole interactions. An example of
this property is boiling point. Substances with large
intermolecular forces of attraction between one another are
expected to have a higher boiling point.
(2) Hydrogen bonding
Hydrogen bonding is a special type of dipole-dipole
interaction. Dipole-dipole interaction accurate between any
polar molecules. On the other hand, hydrogen bonding
occurs only in molecules that contain H bonded to a small,
highly electronegative atom like F, N, and O. An atom such
as F draws the electrons towards itself because of its high
electronegatively which means that electron density is
drawn away from hydrogen. This gives H a very high partial
positive charge, since hydrogen has only one electron
which makes it practically unshielded. The large partial
positive charge of the hydrogen end of the molecule
becomes very much attracted to the large partial negative
end of another HF molecule. This gives rise to a very strong
dipole-dipole attraction between the molecules.
(3) Dispersion forces
Under the correct conditions of pressure and
temperature, nonpolar gases like O2 and N2, can be
liquefied. This means that there are attractive forces
between the molecules of bipolar molecules. These
intermolecular forces arise from the movement of electrons
in the nonpolar molecules. The distribution of electron
density in nonpolar molecules is symmetrical and uniform.
Since electrons in any molecule have the freedom to move
about within molecule, which gives it a temporary dipole
called INSTANTANEOUS DIPOLE. This will eventually induce
dipole in the neighboring molecules. Dispersion forces act
not only between nonpolar molecules but also between all
molecules. Dispersion forces are the only intermolecular
forces exhibited by nonpolar molecules.
(4) Ion-dipole Interactions
Attraction between ionic and polar molecules are
called ION-DIPOLE INTERACTIONS. When ionic and polar
substances are mixed together, such as dissolving
sodium chloride in water to form an aqueous solution,
they exhibit an ion-dipole interaction between them.
The magnitude of the ion-dipole interaction depends on
the charge and size of the ions, the dipole moment, and
size of the Polar molecule.
 Identifying the type of Intermolecular
Forces as Reflected by the Properties
of Substances
Properties of substances depend upon the type of
intermolecular forces that hold that together. When a
molecule with dipole moment gets close to another
molecule with dipole moment too, one dipole reacts with
another dipole. The positive end one dipole gets attracted
to the negative end of another dipole. These attractive
interactions happen because the molecules are favorably
oriented (positive end is near negative end) . But thermal
agitation can easily disruptive this interaction.
For molecules with no dipole moment, such as nonpolar
molecules, they liquefy at sufficient low temperature. The
molecules overcome thermal agitation, such that they stay
close together they do in the liquid state.
The distinction between ionic and covalent classification is
based on their physical properties. To be able to discuss
the physical properties of covalent substances, you have to
classify them in. (a) the molecular covalent type, and (b)
the network type species.
(a) In a molecular covalent type like CO2,I2,P2, and Cl2, the
atoms in the molecular are held together by strong
covalent bonds. But the intermolecular forces are very
weak which makes the molecules very easy to separate.
They have relatively Low melting points and building points
. It is very rare for them to have melting point above 300oC
and boiling points above 500oC
(b)In the network type species like silicon doixide and
diamond, the attractive forces between the atoms are very
strong. They are invariably solids with very high
melting and boiling points. SiO2 (quartz) melts at
about 170oC and boils at 2230oC while diamond melts
3500oC and boils at 4200oC.
On the other hand, ionic compounds have a ability to
conduct electric current when molten (to allow the
current to flow, unlike in solids which are quite
immobile). They usually have high melting and boiling
points above 500oC. The high melting and boiling points
are due to the large amounts of energy to be supplied
to overcome strong interionic attractive forces. The
metallic type is included.
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