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Phases of Matter
▪ The fundamental difference
between states of matter is the
strength of the intermolecular
forces of attraction.
▪ Stronger forces bring
molecules closer together.
▪ Solids and liquids are referred
to as the condensed phases.
Intermolecular
Forces

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 Intermolecular Forces
• The attractions between
molecules are not nearly as strong
as the intramolecular attractions
(bonds) that hold compounds
together.
• Many physical properties reflect
intermolecular forces, like boiling
points, melting points, viscosity,
surface tension, and capillaryIntermolecular

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action. Forces
Types of Intermolecular Forces of Attraction
• Weakest to strongest forces:
➢Dispersion Forces (or London dispersion forces)
➢Dipole–dipole Attraction
➢Hydrogen Bonding (a special dipole–dipole force)
➢Ion–dipole Interaction
➢Ion-ion Attraction
Intermolecular
Forces

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Intermolecular Forces of Attraction

London dispersion forces

and dipole-dipole forces
are collectively known as
van der Waals forces of
attraction.
Johannes van der Waals Intermolecular
Forces

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 London Dispersion Forces
• The weakest type of IMFA and are present in
between all electrically neutral molecules
• Named after the German-American physicist Fritz
London.

Temporary dipoles between nonpolar molecules Intermolecular

Forces

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 London Dispersion Forces
• The figure below shows how a nonpolar particle (in this case a
helium atom) can be temporarily polarized to allow dispersion
force to form.
• The tendency of an electron cloud to distort is called its
polarizability.

Intermolecular
Forces

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 London Dispersion Forces
A nonpolar molecule has an equal
distribution of charges.

(a) (b) (c)

Intermolecular
Forces

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 London Dispersion Forces
At any instant, an instantaneous dipole may
form.

(a) (b) (c)

Intermolecular
Forces

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 London Dispersion Forces

The instantaneous dipole may induce the

formation of another dipole (induced dipole).

(a) (b) (c)

Intermolecular
Forces

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 Induced Dipoles

Intermolecular
Forces

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Factors Which Affect the Amount of Dispersion Force in
a Molecule
• Number of electrons in an
atom (more electrons,
more dispersion force)
• size of atom or
molecule/molecular weight
• shape of molecules with
similar masses (more
compact, less dispersion
force)
Intermolecular
Forces

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 Polarizability & Boiling Point
• If something is easier to
polarize, it has a lower
boiling point.
• Remember: This means
less intermolecular force
(smaller molecule: lower
molecular weight, fewer
electrons).
Intermolecular
Forces

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 Dipole-dipole Attraction
• Polar molecules have a more positive and a more
negative end – a dipole (two poles, δ+ and δ−).
• The oppositely charged ends attract each other.

Intermolecular
Forces

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 Dipole-dipole Attraction
• Present in polar molecules which are described as
dipoles.

Hydrochloric acid
is a dipole Intermolecular
Forces

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 Dipole-dipole Attraction
The dipole-dipole force exists between the partially
positive end of one HCl molecule and the partially negative
end of another HCl molecule.

Intermolecular
Forces

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 Hydrogen Bonding
• The dipole–dipole interactions experienced
when H is bonded to N, O, or F are unusually
strong.
• We call these interactions hydrogen bonds.
• A hydrogen bond is an attraction between a
hydrogen atom attached to a highly
electronegative atom and a nearby small
electronegative atom in another molecule or
chemical group.
Intermolecular
Forces

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What Forms Hydrogen Bonds?

• Hydrogen bonding arises in part from the high

electronegativity of nitrogen, oxygen, and
fluorine.
• These atoms interact with a nearly bare nucleus
(which contains one proton).

Intermolecular
Forces

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 Ion-dipole Interaction
• Ion–dipole interactions are found in solutions of ions.
• The strength of these forces is what makes it possible
for ionic substances to dissolve in polar solvents.

Intermolecular
Forces

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 Ion-dipole Interaction

Ion-dipole interactions
strengths of ion-dipole Intermolecular

interactions Forces

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 Ion-ion Attraction
• Ion–ion interactions are
found in ionic compounds
with permanent charges.
• These forces arise from
the electrostatic
attraction between two
ions with opposite
charges.
Intermolecular
Forces

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 Ion-ion Attraction

• Ion-ion interaction is the

interaction between two
oppositely charged
particles.
• Ion-ion interactions are
between electrically
charged particles.
sodium and chloride ions
Intermolecular
Forces

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 Intramolecular Forces

For molecules of approximately equal mass and size, the

more polar the molecule, the higher its boiling point.
Intermolecular
Forces

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Summarizing
Intermolecular
Forces

Intermolecular
Forces

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 Identify the strongest intermolecular force present in pure samples of
the following substances:

H2O Cl2
Hydrogen bonding Dispersion force

SO2
Dipole-dipole attraction
Intermolecular
Forces

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 Identify the weakest intermolecular force present in pure samples of
the following substances:

KCl(aq) NH3
Ion-dipole interaction Hydrogen bonding

CH4
Dispersion force
Intermolecular
Forces

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 Identify the strongest intermolecular force present in pure samples of
the following substances:

He NaCl
Dispersion force Ion-ion attraction

HF
Hydrogen bonding
Intermolecular
Forces

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