Lesson 1.2 Intermolecular Forces of Attraction (Study Guide)

Lesson 1.2
Intermolecular Forces of Attraction

Contents
Introduction 1
Learning Objectives 2
Warm Up 2
Learn about It! 4

Intermolecular Forces of Attraction 4
Ion-Ion Interactions 4
Ion-Dipole Interactions 5
Dipole-Dipole Interactions 6
Hydrogen Bonding 7
London Dispersion Forces 8
Induced Dipoles 10
Predicting Intermolecular Forces of Attraction for Molecules 10
Ionic Compounds 11
Covalent Compounds 12
Polar Covalent Compounds 14
Nonpolar Covalent Compounds 15
Key Points 17
Check Your Understanding 19
Challenge Yourself 20
Bibliography 20

Unit 1: Intermolecular Forces of Attraction and Solids and Liquids

Lesson 1.2

Introduction
Have you ever wondered why some substances boil easier than others? For example,
liquid nitrogen, when exposed to room temperature, immediately turns into vapor. On the
other hand, water needs to be heated first to be converted to steam. In the previous
lesson, you were able to learn about the kinetic molecular theory. This theory states that
matter is composed of tiny particles that carry energy, interact with one another, and are in
constant random motion. The interaction between particles and their strength determines
certain properties for that matter. The particles in liquid nitrogen have a different
intermolecular force of attraction than those present in liquid water. This difference affects
their boiling points. In this lesson, you will discuss the different types of intermolecular
forces of attraction and learn how to predict the intermolecular forces between specific
molecules.

1.2. Intermolecular Forces of Attraction 1


Learning Objectives DepEd Competencies

● Describe and differentiate the
In this lesson, you should be able to do the
types of intermolecular forces
following: (STEM_GC11IMF-IIIa-c-100).
● Differentiate the different types of ● Predict the intermolecular forces
intermolecular forces of attraction. possible for a molecule

(STEM_GC11IMF-IIIa-c-101).
● Predict the intermolecular forces that

may exist for a molecule.
Warm Up
Together, Forever? 20 minutes
One of the postulates of the kinetic molecular theory is that particles have interaction with
one another. These interactions affect the properties of the substance. This activity
demonstrates the interaction between particles.

Materials
● magnets
● marbles
● paper clips
● box
● ruler

Procedure
1. Place two marbles side-by-side.
2. Try pulling the marbles 5 mm apart in 5 increments.
3. Observe whether there is an attractive force between the two particles.
4. Repeat the previous steps using the following setups:
a. magnet and marble
b. two magnets



c. magnet and paper clip
d. two paper clips
e. A paper clip (other end attached to a magnet) and another paper clip.
5. Record your observations.
6. Answer the guide questions that follow.

Observation Table
Table 1.2.1. Observations when the objects are placed side-by-side
Materials Observation

marble + marble

magnet + marble

magnet + magnet

magnet + paper clip

paper clip + paper clip

paper clip (other end attached to a magnet)

+ paper clip

Guide Questions
1. Which of the following setups have no interaction with one another?
2. Which of the following setups have interactions between the particles?
3. Why did the setups in question 2 have interaction between the particles?
4. When the magnet was attached to one paper clip, did it change the interaction of the
two paper clips? Why?



Learn about It!

Intermolecular forces are attractive forces present in between molecules. Although there
are various attractive forces, four main types of intermolecular forces of attraction (IMFA)
are most commonly observed. These are London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces,
ion-dipole forces, and hydrogen bonding forces. The first two are collectively known as
van der Waals forces of attraction, named after the Dutch scientist Johannes van der
Waals.

What are the different types of intermolecular

forces of attraction?

Ion-Ion Interactions
Ion-ion interaction is the interaction between two oppositely charged particles. In
chemistry, charged particles are called ions. Cations are positively charged particles, while
anions are negatively charged particles. Recall that ion formation is a result of atoms
gaining or losing electrons. Cations are formed when an atom or molecule loses electrons.
Anions are formed when an atom or molecule gains electrons. Ion-ion interaction is also
known as ionic bonds. This type of bond holds together the particles in an ionic
compound.

Fig. 1.2.1. The positively charged sodium ion (Na ) interacts with the negatively charged
+
chloride (Cl-) ion.



Remember
Ion-ion interactions are between electrically charged particles.

Ion-Dipole Interactions
Ion-dipole interaction results from the electrostatic attraction of a molecule containing a
dipole and an ion. This type of interaction is responsible for the dissolution of most ionic
solids in polar solvents. The strength of this kind of IMFA increases as the charge of the ion
increases. It is often observed in solutions such as brine (NaCl in water). When NaCl
dissolves in water, it exists as Na+ and Cl-. The cation Na+ is attracted to the partially negative
O atom of water while the anion Cl- is attracted to the partially positive H atom of water.

Fig. 1.2.2. The cation is attracted to the partial negative end of the molecule while the anion
is attracted to the partially positive end of the molecule.

Remember
The partially positive end of the polar molecule interacts with the
anion, whereas the partially negative end of the polar molecule
interacts with the cation.



The strength of ion-dipole interaction
depends on the charge density of the
ion. Charge density is defined as the
actual charge distributed over the total
volume of the ion. For example,
cations with higher charge magnitudes
have high charge density because they
are significantly smaller compared to
cations with smaller charge
magnitudes. The interaction between
Mg2+ and water is stronger than the
interaction of Na+ with water.

Dipole-Dipole Interactions
Dipole-dipole interactions are attractive forces that are a moderately strong type of IMFA
and are present in between polar molecules. Dipole-dipole forces are the result of the
electrical interactions among dipoles on neighboring molecules. This means that the
partially positive end of one molecule interacts with the partially negative end of a
neighboring molecule. Partial charges are symbolized by the lowercase delta (ẟ) followed by
a plus (+) sign for partial positive, or a minus (-) sign for partial negative.

Fig. 1.2.3. HCl molecule with partially positive and partially negative ends.

For example, HCl is a polar molecule. It has partially positive and partially negative ends. The
dipole-dipole force exists between the partially positive end of one HCl molecule and the
partially negative end of another HCl molecule.



Fig. 1.2.4. Molecules with partially positive ends attracted to the partially negative ends of
other molecules.

Remember
All polar molecules exhibit dipole-dipole interactions.

Hydrogen Bonding
Hydrogen bonding is a special kind of dipole-dipole
force and one of the strongest types of IMFA. It is an
attractive force that exists when hydrogen is bonded
to the most electronegative atoms, namely F, O, or N.
In such cases, the partially positive hydrogen of one
molecule interacts with the partially negative F, O, or
N atoms in another molecule. This relatively strong
attraction explains why molecules with this type of
IMFA tend to have high boiling and melting points.

Many unusual properties of water are attributed to
hydrogen bonding. Consider the water molecule, H2O.
The hydrogen of one molecule is attracted to the
oxygen atom of another molecule.



Some molecules may also interact with water even though they cannot form hydrogen
bonds themselves. Let us look at the interaction between formaldehyde and water.
Formaldehyde does not exhibit hydrogen bonding on its own. However, in the presence of
water, the O atom of formaldehyde can form hydrogen bonds with the H atoms of water.
Formaldehyde becomes a hydrogen bond acceptor, while water is the hydrogen bond
donor. A hydrogen bond donor is a molecule that provides the hydrogen atom
participating in a hydrogen bond, while a hydrogen bond acceptor is a molecule that
contains the lone pair-bearing electronegative atom.

Fig. 1.2.6. Hydrogen bond formation between water and formaldehyde.

Remember
Hydrogen bonding can only be exhibited when one molecule has a
hydrogen atom is directly bonded to fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen
atom.

London Dispersion Forces
London dispersion forces (LDFs) are the weakest type of IMFA and are present in between
all electrically neutral molecules ― polar and nonpolar molecules. This IMFA was named
after the German-American physicist Fritz London who initially proposed this
intermolecular force of attractions.



LDFs are caused by fluctuations in the electron distribution within atoms or molecules. This
happens when an atom, which is usually nonpolar, becomes polar due to the continual
motion of its electrons, resulting in a temporary dipole. In this case, one end of the molecule
can temporarily have a partial negative charge while another end can temporarily have a
partial positive charge. This temporary dipole can cause a neighboring atom to be distorted
and make its nucleus attracted to the negative end of the first atom.

(a) (b) (c)
Fig. 1.2.7. A temporary dipole (b) produced from a nonpolar molecule (a) induces
instantaneous dipoles to neighbor molecules (c).

Another example can be observed in nonpolar molecules such as O2, where there are no
positive or negative ends. Because the electrons of these molecules are constantly moving,
there are times when electrons move to one end, making such end partially negative while
the other end becomes partially positive. Hence, the molecule can have an instantaneous
dipole. The temporary dipole of a molecule induces instantaneous dipoles to neighbor
molecules.

Fig. 1.2.8. The instantaneous dipole of O2.

Remember
All electrically neutral molecules exhibit London dispersion forces
(LDF).



Induced Dipoles
There are two types of induced dipole forces—ion-induced and dipole-induced. The main
difference between the two is the kind of inducing particle present. This occurs when a
nonpolar atom becomes polar due to the presence of an ion or a dipole. This is similar to
the paper clip to paper clip interaction in the presence of a magnet. Initially, the two paper
clips will not have any force of attraction between them since they are not magnetic
themselves. However, when one end of the paper clip is attached to the magnet, then the
paper clip becomes magnetic by the induction effect.

Fig. 1.2.9. Representation of ion-induced dipole and dipole-induced dipole.

How are induced dipoles created?

Predicting Intermolecular Forces of Attraction for Molecules
Recall that compounds can be classified as ionic or covalent based on the types of bonds
present.



How can one determine the intermolecular force

present for a molecule?

Ionic Compounds
Recall that an ionic compound is composed of atoms bonded by ionic bonds. Ionic bonds
involve the transfer of an electron from a metal to a nonmetal. The cations and anions in an
ionic compound interact via ion-ion interactions. The strength of the ion-ion interaction is
governed by Coulomb's law.

Equation 2.1

where F is coulombic force, q1 and q2 are the charges of the particles, and r is the distance
between the particles.

The equation shows that the coulombic force is directly proportional to the product of the
charges of the particles and inversely proportional to the distance between the particles.

Table 1.2.2. Melting points of some ionic compounds
Compound Melting Compound Melting Compound Melting

Point ( C)
O
Point ( C)
O
Point (OC)
NaF 993 CaF2 1423 MgO 2800
NaCl 801 Na2S 1180 CaO 2580
NaBr 747 K2S 840 BaO 1923

Let’s look at NaF and NaCl. The cation for both compounds is sodium ion (Na+) that has a
charge of +1. The anions are fluoride (F-) and chloride (Cl-), respectively. Both anions have a
charge of -1. Since the charges are essentially the same for the ions in NaF and NaCl, then
the difference between their melting points can be attributed to the distance, r, between the
particles. Chloride ion is larger than fluoride ion; therefore, the distance between the ions



in NaCl is larger than in NaF. Since the Coulombic force is inversely proportional to the
distance between the ions, then NaCl has a weaker Coulombic force. This results in a lower
melting point.

Covalent Compounds
Covalent bonds, on the other hand, involve the sharing of electrons between two nonmetal
atoms. Covalent compounds can be further classified based on polarity as polar or nonpolar
covalent molecules. Recall that the polarity of the molecule can be determined by
identifying the polarity of the bonds and the molecular geometry for the compound.

In order to determine the polarity of the molecule, the following steps may be used.

Step 1: Draw the correct Lewis structure and determine the molecular geometry of the
molecule.

Step 2: Identify the polarity of each bond present in the molecule.

Step 3: Draw the dipole moment vector for each polar bond.

Step 4: Determine the sum of the dipole moment vectors.

Let us take SO2 as an example.

Step 1: Draw the correct Lewis structure and determine the molecular geometry of the
molecule. The correct Lewis structure is shown below.

Fig. 1.2.11. Lewis structure for SO2



Based on the Lewis structure, there are two bonding domains and one nonbonding domain
around the central atom, sulfur. The electron group geometry is trigonal planar, and the
molecular geometry is bent.

Step 2: Identify the polarity of each bond present in the molecule. Oxygen (χ = 3.44) is more
electronegative than sulfur (χ = 2.58). Therefore, the S—O bonds are polar.

Step 3: Draw the dipole moment vector for each polar bond. The dipole moment is towards
the direction of the more electronegative atom. Since oxygen is more electronegative than sulfur,
then the dipole moment vector moves from sulfur to oxygen, as shown below.

Fig. 1.2.12. Dipole moment vectors represented in SO2

Step 4: Determine the sum of the dipole moment vectors. As seen in the figure above, the
dipole moments in SO2 do not cancel out since the molecule is bent-shaped. As you add the two,
there is a resultant dipole vector moving downwards. Therefore, SO2 is a polar molecule.

Remember
It is necessary to determine both molecular geometry and bond
polarity in order to predict whether a molecule is polar or nonpolar.
Some molecules have polar bonds but are nonpolar as a whole. This
is due to the cancellation of the dipole moment due to molecular
geometry.



Polar Covalent Compounds
Polar covalent compounds are molecules with a net dipole moment. This means that the
electrons are not equally shared between the atoms. This causes the molecule to have a
partial positive (δ+) and a partial negative (δ-) charges, which are also known as a dipole.
Polar covalent compounds can either have dipole-dipole interactions or hydrogen bonding,
depending on the presence of H and its connectivity to other atoms in the compound and
London dispersion forces.

Fig. 1.2.13. Boiling points for the different hydrides for group 5A, 6A, and 7A.

Notice that H2O, HF, and NH3 have higher boiling points than the rest of their groups. This is
because, unlike the other members in their group, those three compounds can form
hydrogen bonding.



Nonpolar Covalent Compounds
Nonpolar covalent compounds are molecules with zero dipole moment. This means that
the electrons in the bonds are shared equally between the atoms. The only intermolecular
force present in these compounds is the London dispersion forces.

Table 1.2.3. Polarizability, molar mass, and boiling point of selected compounds
Polarizability, Molar Mass, Boiling Point,

Compound
10–25 cm3 amu K
H2 7.9 2.02 20.35
O2 16.0 32.00 90.19
N2 17.6 28.01 77.35
CH4 26.0 16.04 109.15
C2H6 44.7 30.07 184.55
Cl2 46.1 70.91 238.25
C3H8 62.9 44.11 231.05
CCl4 105.0 153.81 349.95

Notice how the boiling point increases as the molecule gets larger. This is due to the larger
size of the molecule and the presence of more electrons. When more electrons are present
in a molecule, the stronger the LDFs are. This is because larger molecules are more
polarizable. Polarizability is the measure of how easy it is to distort the electron
distribution of a molecule. In large molecules, the electrons are less tightly held by the
attraction with the nucleus so they can form temporary dipoles easier. Polarizability can be
related to how easy one can squeeze a balloon: the larger the balloon is, the more
squeezable it is, and the stronger is its LDF.

This also explains why nonpolar substances such as halogens and noble gases freeze into
solids and condense into liquids at a sufficiently lowered temperature. LDF also explains
why, generally, liquids made up of molecules with no permanent dipole attraction have



lower boiling points. For example, bromine, Br2, bears more electrons than chlorine, Cl2,
which means that Br2 has stronger London dispersion forces than Cl2. The strength of LDF
affects their boiling points. Thus, Br2 has a boiling point of 59 °C compared to Cl2, which has
a lower boiling point of -35 °C.

Fig. 1.2.15. Structure for neopentane (left) and pentane (right).

In terms of polarizability, the larger the surface area, the stronger the LDF will be. For
example, between neopentane and pentane, the latter will have a stronger LDF due to the
larger surface area.

Tips
In order to predict the intermolecular forces between two
molecules, you must first determine the type of compound present.
If it is ionic, then you have ion-ion interactions. If it is covalent, it
depends on whether the molecule is polar or nonpolar. Take note
that whether the molecule is polar or nonpolar, it will always be
capable of interacting through London dispersion forces. For
nonpolar molecules, it is the only IMFA present. For polar



molecules, dipole-dipole interactions are present, on top of London

dispersion forces. If you have a hydrogen atom directly bonded to a
fluorine, oxygen, or nitrogen atom, then hydrogen bonding is
present.

Fig. 1.2.15. Comparison of IMFAs in molecules with approximately the same molecular
weight

For molecules with roughly the same molecular weight, the strength of IMFA depends on
the polarity of molecules. Fig. 1.2.15 shows that the strength of IMFA increases as polarity
increases, reflective of their boiling points.

Key Points
___________________________________________________________________________________________

● Intermolecular forces of attraction are attractive forces present in between
molecules.
○ Ion-ion interaction is the interaction between two oppositely charged
particles.



○ Ion-dipole interaction results from the electrostatic attraction of a molecule
containing a dipole and an ion.
○ Dipole-dipole interactions are attractive forces that are a moderately strong
type of IMFA and are present in between polar molecules.
○ Hydrogen bonding is a special kind of dipole-dipole force that exists when
hydrogen is bonded to the most electronegative atoms, namely F, O, or N.
○ London dispersion forces (LDFs) are the weakest type of IMFA and are
present in between all electrically neutral molecules―polar and nonpolar
molecules.
○ Induced dipoles occur when a nonpolar atom becomes polar due to the
presence of an ion or a dipole.
● The strength of ion-ion interactions is dependent on the Coulombic force between
the particles. It is directly proportional to the product of the charges and inversely
proportional to the distance between the particles.
● The strength of ion-dipole interactions depends on the charge of the ion present.
● The strength of LDFs depends on the polarizability of the molecule.
● Polarizability refers to the ease at which the electron cloud can be distorted.

___________________________________________________________________________________________



Check Your Understanding

A. Identify the terms described in each of the following

items.

___________________________ 1. It refers to the interaction between polar molecules.
___________________________ 2. It refers to the ease at which an electron cloud is

distorted.
___________________________ 3. It is the IMFA exhibited by compounds with hydrogen

atoms directly bonded to fluorine, oxygen, or
nitrogen.
___________________________ 4. It refers to the IMFA caused by instantaneous

dipoles.
___________________________ 5. It is the type of interaction between a nonpolar

molecule and an ion or a polar molecule.
___________________________ 6. It refers to the interaction between two charged

particles.
___________________________ 7. This interaction is responsible for the dissolution of

most ionic solids in polar solvents.
___________________________ 8. It is the molecule that provides the hydrogen atom

participating in a hydrogen bond.
___________________________ 9. It is the molecule that provides the lone-pair

containing atoms participating in a hydrogen bond.
___________________________ 10. These are attractive forces present in between

molecules.
B. Write T if the following statement is true. Otherwise,

write false.

_______ 1. The intermolecular forces of attraction present in molecules affect the
properties of the substance.



_______ 2. The weakest intermolecular force of attraction is ion-ion interaction.
_______ 3. Polar molecules only have dipole-dipole interactions.
_______ 4. Hydrogen bonding is present in HI molecules.
_______ 5. As polarizability increases, the strength of the London dispersion force
also increases.

C. Determine all the IMFAs present in the following

molecules.
1. CH3OH __________________________________________________________________
2. H2S __________________________________________________________________
3. (CH3)2CO (acetone) __________________________________________________________________
4. C6H6 __________________________________________________________________
5. KCl __________________________________________________________________

Challenge Yourself

Answer the following.
1. Compare and contrast dipole-dipole interactions with hydrogen bonding

2. Relate polarizability with the strength of London dispersion forces.
3. Arrange the following in increasing IMFA strength: ethanol, ethylene glycol, ethane.

Answer the following.
4. Construct a schematic diagram on how to determine IMFA present in molecules.

5. Explain how to use the diagram you have constructed in the previous item.

Bibliography
Brown T.L. et al. 2012. Chemistry: The Central Science. Pearson Prentice Hall.Brown.
Chemistry: The Central Science. Prentice-Hall, 2005.



Bettelheim, Frederick A., et al. 2015. Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry.
Boston: Cengage Learning.

Ebbing, Darrell and Steven Gammon. 2016. General Chemistry. Boston: Cengage Learning.

Moore, John W, and Conrad L. Stanitski. 2015. Chemistry: The Molecular Science, 5th ed. USA:
Cengage Learning.

Petrucci, Ralph H. General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications. Toronto, Ont.:
Pearson Canada, 2011. Print.

Reger, Daniel L., et al. 2009. Chemistry: Principles and Practice. Boston: Cengage Learning.

Silberberg, Martin S. 2007. Principles of General Chemistry. McGraw-Hill Company. 2007

Spencer, James N., et al. 2010. Chemistry: Structure and Dynamics. New Jersey: John Wiley &
Sons.


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Learn about It! 4

Key Points 17

Check Your Understanding 19

Challenge Yourself 20

Learning Objectives DepEd Competencies

intermolecular forces of attraction. possible for a molecule

may exist for a molecule.

Learn about It!

What are the different types of intermolecular

chloride (Cl-) ion.

How are induced dipoles created?

How can one determine the intermolecular force

Compound Melting Compound Melting Compound Melting

NaF 993 CaF2 1423 MgO 2800

NaCl 801 Na2S 1180 CaO 2580

NaBr 747 K2S 840 BaO 1923

Polarizability, Molar Mass, Boiling Point,

H2 7.9 2.02 20.35

O2 16.0 32.00 90.19

N2 17.6 28.01 77.35

CH4 26.0 16.04 109.15

C2H6 44.7 30.07 184.55

Cl2 46.1 70.91 238.25

C3H8 62.9 44.11 231.05

CCl4 105.0 153.81 349.95

molecules, dipole-dipole interactions are present, on top of London

Check Your Understanding

A. Identify the terms described in each of the following

___________________________ 1. It refers to the interaction between polar molecules.

___________________________ 2. It refers to the ease at which an electron cloud is

___________________________ 3. It is the IMFA exhibited by compounds with hydrogen

___________________________ 4. It refers to the IMFA caused by instantaneous

___________________________ 5. It is the type of interaction between a nonpolar

___________________________ 6. It refers to the interaction between two charged

___________________________ 7. This interaction is responsible for the dissolution of

___________________________ 8. It is the molecule that provides the hydrogen atom

___________________________ 9. It is the molecule that provides the lone-pair

___________________________ 10. These are attractive forces present in between

B. Write T if the following statement is true. Otherwise,

_______ 2. The weakest intermolecular force of attraction is ion-ion interaction.

_______ 3. Polar molecules only have dipole-dipole interactions.

_______ 4. Hydrogen bonding is present in HI molecules.

C. Determine all the IMFAs present in the following

Answer the following.

1. Compare and contrast dipole-dipole interactions with hydrogen bonding

Answer the following.

4. Construct a schematic diagram on how to determine IMFA present in molecules.

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