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London Dispersion Forces

The document summarizes three types of intermolecular forces: London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces, and hydrogen bonding. It describes the nature, strength, and means of identification for each type of force. London dispersion forces arise from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution, while dipole-dipole forces result from the attraction between polar molecules. Hydrogen bonding is a specific type of dipole-dipole interaction involving a hydrogen atom bonded to an electronegative atom. It also notes that hydrogen bonding is the strongest of the three forces.

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59 views4 pages

London Dispersion Forces

The document summarizes three types of intermolecular forces: London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces, and hydrogen bonding. It describes the nature, strength, and means of identification for each type of force. London dispersion forces arise from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution, while dipole-dipole forces result from the attraction between polar molecules. Hydrogen bonding is a specific type of dipole-dipole interaction involving a hydrogen atom bonded to an electronegative atom. It also notes that hydrogen bonding is the strongest of the three forces.

Uploaded by

kimdaniel2006
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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London Dispersion Forces (Van der Waals forces):

Nature: London forces arise from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution around atoms
and molecules. These fluctuations create temporary dipoles, inducing dipoles in nearby
molecules.
Strength: Generally weaker compared to dipole-dipole and hydrogen bonding.
Identification: Present in all molecules and atoms but particularly notable in nonpolar
molecules.

Dipole-Dipole Forces:

Nature: Dipole-dipole forces result from the attraction between the positive end of one polar
molecule and the negative end of another polar molecule.
Strength: Moderately stronger than London forces but weaker than hydrogen bonding.
Identification: Observable in polar molecules where there is an uneven distribution of electron
density.

Hydrogen Bonding:

Nature: A specific type of dipole-dipole interaction involving a hydrogen atom bonded to a


highly electronegative atom (N, O, or F) and another electronegative atom with a lone pair of
electrons.
Strength: Stronger than both London forces and regular dipole-dipole interactions.
Identification: Hydrogen bonding is specific to molecules with hydrogen attached to N, O, or F,
and a nearby N, O, or F with lone pair electrons.
Carbon based molecules are the foundation of life.

can form bonds with up to 4 other atoms


can form complex linear, branched, ringed structures
bonds tend to be relatively non-polar, stable
forms the “skeleton ”of biological molecules
Molecules consisting only of carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms are called hydrocarbons.
- The smallest hydrocarbon is methane. Methane is a single
carbon atom bound to four hydrogen atoms
Carbon skeleton of an organic molecule: 1 or more carbon atoms linked together in linear,
branched, and/or ringed structures.

Properties of Water:

Cohesion:

Definition: Cohesion refers to the tendency of water molecules to stick together due to
hydrogen bonding.
Explanation: Water molecules are polar, with a slight negative charge on the oxygen atom and a
slight positive charge on the hydrogen atoms. Hydrogen bonding between water molecules
creates cohesive forces, leading to surface tension and the formation of water droplets.

Adhesion:
Definition: Adhesion is the attraction of water molecules to other substances, such as the
surfaces of solids.
Explanation: The polar nature of water molecules allows them to be attracted to other polar or
charged surfaces. Adhesion is crucial in capillary action, where water can move against gravity in
narrow tubes or vessels due to the combined effects of cohesion and adhesion.

High Specific Heat Capacity:


Definition: Specific heat capacity is the amount of heat energy required to raise the
temperature of a given amount of substance by a certain temperature.
Explanation: Water has a high specific heat capacity due to hydrogen bonding. It means that
water can absorb and store a large amount of heat without a significant increase in
temperature. This property helps regulate temperature in living organisms and environments,
preventing rapid temperature fluctuations.

High Specific Heat of Vaporization:


Definition: Specific heat of vaporization is the amount of heat energy required to convert a
given amount of substance from liquid to gas at a constant temperature.
Explanation: Water has a high specific heat of vaporization, again due to hydrogen bonding.
This property allows water to absorb a significant amount of heat when it evaporates, making it
an effective cooling mechanism. Sweating, for example, allows organisms to release excess heat
as water evaporates from their skin.

Acids and Bases in Water:


Definition: In water, acids release protons (H⁺ ions), and bases accept protons or release
hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
Explanation: Water itself can act as both an acid and a base in a process called autoionization,
where water molecules can donate and accept protons. The pH scale measures the
concentration of H⁺ ions in a solution. A solution with a pH below 7 is acidic, while a solution
with a pH above 7 is basic or alkaline. The neutrality point is pH 7, where the concentration of
H⁺ ions equals the concentration of OH⁻ ions.

Functional Groups

Dehydration reactions (also called condensation reactions) consist of the removal of an -OH and
an -H from two reactant molecules.
Hydrolysis reactions are the reverse of dehydration reactions.
Water acts as a reactant to split or “lyse” a larger molecule.
In living organisms, hydrolysis breaks down large molecules into smaller subunits.
Neutralization reactions occurs when an acid and a base combine to create a salt and water.
Water is also often produced in these reactions.
During a redox reaction (named for “reduction” and “oxidation”), electrons are lost from one
atom and gained by another atom.

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