Lesson 8 Intermolecular Forces Abm Gas Humss

Lesson 8: Intermolecular Forces
1. Describe the general types of intermolecular forces

2. Give the type of intermolecular forces in the properties of substances
3. Explain the effect of intermolecular forces on the properties of substances
Intramolecular forces vs Intermolecular Forces of Attraction

Intramolecular forces are many times stronger than intermolecular forces of attraction. Intramolecular forces are forces
that hold molecules together.
They are forces within a molecule. Intermolecular forces are forces that form between molecules, atoms, or ions.
H2O(g) → 2H2(g) + O2(g) absorbs 927 kJ/ mol (H-O bond breaking)
H2O(l) → H2O(g) absorbs 40.7 kJ/ mol
The comparison above shows the relative strengths of intermolecular forces and intramolecular forces in terms of energy
involved.
Intermolecular forces are responsible for the condensed phases of substances (liquid and solid form). Solids and liquids
will not exist without them.
Intermolecular forces called Van der Waals forces, named after Johannes Diderik van der Waals who first proposed
these forces.
Four main types of intermolecular forces:

1. Ion-ion interaction
2. Dipole-dipole interaction
3. Hydrogen bonding
4. Dispersion forces also known as London forces in honor of Fritz London.
Ion-ion interaction
Ion-ion interaction exists between oppositely charged ions. It occurs between ionic compounds. Most ion-ion
interaction is strong and compounds which have them have high melting and boiling points.
Ions of like charges repel while opposite charges attract. The compound orients itself in such a way as to minimize
repulsion. The strength of ion-ion interaction is inversely proportional to the square of distance between the ions. This is
the strongest intermolecular force.
Johannes van der Waals did not develop the theory on the different types of intermolecular forces. He was only the first
one who postulated them during the development of his theory on the behavior of real gases in 1873.
Van der Waals forces were named after him to pay tribute to his great contribution on the study of liquids and gases. In
1930, Fritz London, a German-born physicist (March 7, 1900 - March 30,1954) traced intermolecular forces to electron
motion within molecules.
Polar molecules are also referred to as “dipoles” due to their two poles.
Dipole-dipole interaction
Dipole-dipole interaction occurs between polar molecules. This is due to the partial positive pole and the partial
negative pole of the molecule.
Average dipole-dipole interaction is relatively weak, around 4kJ/ mol. This interaction is effective over a very short
range. The strength of dipole-dipole interaction is inversely proportional to distance raised to the fourth power (d4).
Hydrogen Bond
Hydrogen bond is a very strong dipole-dipole interaction. Hydrogen bond occurs in polar molecules containing H and any
one of the highly electronegative elements, in particular F, O, N.
Hydrogen tends to be strongly positive due to the strong tendencies of F, O, or N to attract the electron towards it. The
highly electronegative elements make hydrogen strongly positive. Hydrogen bonding is responsible for the unusually high
boiling point and melting point of water as compared to compounds of similar molecular weight and geometry. Typically,
H-bond is in the range of 15-20 kJ/mol.
Dispersion Forces or London Forces

Dispersion force is present in all molecules. It is the only force present in nonpolar molecules. It is very weak and acts in
very small distances. It is formed due to the attraction between the positively charged nucleus of an atom with the
negatively charged electron cloud of a nearby atom. This interaction creates an induced dipole. The strength of dispersion
forces is inversely proportional to distance raised to the 7th power (d7). Without dispersion forces substances would not
be able to condense to liquid and solid phase.
As the molecular weight of molecules increases (which also corresponds to an increased number of electrons), the
polarization increases due to dispersion forces.
Sometimes, dispersion forces can be stronger than dipole-dipole interaction or even H-bonding.
Properties of Substances in Relation to Intermolecular Forces
- intramolecular vs intermolecular forces
- Van der Waals forces - ion-ion interaction
- dipole-dipole interaction
- H- bond - dispersion forces
From the previous discussion and the experiment, certain properties relating to intermolecular properties were discussed,
namely:
- boiling point
- melting point
- surface tension
Surface tension
A phenomenon caused by cohesive forces (intermolecular forces) between molecules allowing liquids to create a thin film
on its surface. This causes liquids to acquire a certain shape when put on a container or dropped on surfaces.
In a container, the bulk of a liquid has a balance of intermolecular forces in all direction. There is a net inward force on
the surface since there are no liquids there. This creates surface tension. Stronger intermolecular bonds equate to stronger
surface tension.
Viscosity is the resistance of a liquid to flow.
The more viscous a liquid is the thicker its consistency. In layman’s term it is the measure of the thickness of a liquid.
In general, stronger intermolecular forces lead to higher viscosity.
Increased H-bonding, like in glycerin, results to higher viscosity.
Higher surface area or increasing molecular size also results to greater viscosity due to greater dispersion forces.
Capillary action
A phenomenon wherein a liquid is able to rise up on a narrow tube.
Adhesive forces between the tube and the liquid allow the liquid to exceed its weight. The narrower the tube, the higher
the liquid will reach.
Adhesion - interaction between different materials touching each other e.g. Tape and paper, skin and glass, etc.
Cohesion - interaction between same materials
The shape of the meniscus depends on the relative strength of the adhesive and cohesive forces experienced by the liquid
and its container.
Boiling point- solutions with stronger intermolecular forces (IMF) have higher boiling points than solutions with weaker
intermolecular forces. The solutions with stronger IMF holds it molecules together stronger hence making it harder for the
solution to evaporate and eventually boil.
Surface tension- this is a phenomenon wherein a liquid creates a seemingly thin film on its surface. The stronger the
IMF, the stronger is its surface tension.
Capillary action- this is the ability of fluids to rise in narrow tubes. The IMF between the surface of the tube and the
liquid allows the liquid to rise provided that the IMF between the surface and the liquid is stronger than the cohesive
forces within the liquid.
Convex and concave meniscus - a convex meniscus is formed when the cohesive forces within a liquid is stronger
than the adhesive forces between the liquid and the surface of the container.
Concave meniscus on the other hand is the opposite wherein the adhesive forces is stronger than the cohesive forces.
The cohesive and adhesive forces are both due to IMF.
Viscosity - this is the measure a liquid’s resistance to flow.
Generally, the stronger is the IMF in the liquid the more viscous it is.

Lesson 8 Intermolecular Forces Abm Gas Humss

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lesson 8 Intermolecular Forces Abm Gas Humss

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lesson 8 Intermolecular Forces Abm Gas Humss

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Lesson 8: Intermolecular Forces

1. Describe the general types of intermolecular forces

Intramolecular forces vs Intermolecular Forces of Attraction

Four main types of intermolecular forces:

Dispersion Forces or London Forces

You might also like