LESSON 4: INTERMOLECULAR FORCES OF ATTRACTION

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the module, you should be able to:
• Describe the different types of intermolecular forces;
• Determine the type of intermolecular forces that exist in a sample substance;
• Relate the intermolecular forces to the properties of substances.

 INTRODUCTION
Have you ever wondered if atoms and molecules have telepathic system to create such
wonderful phases of matter? Have you ever thought how they create such variety of things that make a
wonderful world? In today’s lesson you should have a grasp of understanding on the things that I asked
you to ponder on.

 VOCABULARY ENHANCEMENT
Directions: Give the exact word of the jumbled letters to form a new word based on their given
description.
1. A S T M O - the basic building blocks of ordinary matter
2. A N T R I - a prefix meaning “within,” used in the formation of compound words
3. L O C M E L E S U - an electrically neutral group of two or more atoms held together by chemical
bonds
4. D C O O U M N P - made up or consisting of two or more existing parts or elements.
5. I T E R N - a prefix meaning “between” two groups.

 DISCUSSION

Intermolecular forces are the attractive forces present between molecules. Generally, they are
called van der Waals forces, named after the Dutch scientist Johannes van der Waals.
The different types of intermolecular forces of attraction (IMFA) are:
• London dispersion forces (LDF)
• Dipole-dipole forces
• Hydrogen bonding

 London Dispersion 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.
EXAMPLE:
In a nonpolar molecule, such as O2, there are no positive or negative ends. However, the
electrons of this molecule 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 on neighboring molecules.

TIP:
In assessing the relative strengths of London dispersion forces between two different
substances, compare their molecular weight and size. Larger and more massive molecules are more
polarizable (i.e. they have a greater tendency to have distorted electron clouds) and have stronger IMFA.
 Dipole-dipole forces
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 4 kJ/mol. This
interaction is effective over a very short range.
EXAMPLE:
HCl is a polar molecule. It has partially positive and partially negative ends.
The partially positive end of the molecule is attracted to the partially negative side of another
molecule.

TIP:
In assessing the relative strengths of dipole-dipole forces between two different substances,
compare their polarities. A more polar substance will have stronger dipole–dipole forces compared to a
less polar one.

 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.
EXAMPLE:
Consider the water molecule, H2O.
The hydrogen of one molecule is attracted to the oxygen atom of another molecule

 QUIZ TIME!

Direction. Identify the types of intermolecular forces present between molecules of

the following substances:
1. NH3——NH3 - _______________________
2. H2——H2 - _______________________
3. CO2——CO2 - _______________________
4. HF——HF - _______________________

 LET’S TRACE YOUR LEARNING. Directions: Get your nearest dictionary and define the following terms.
Melting Point

Boiling Point

Surface Tension

Viscosity

Vapor Pressure

Solubilty
 STRENGTH OF IMFA AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MATTER

If you have internet connection, try watching the videos below to gain extra knowledge on what
is the Relation of Intermolecular Forces Properties of Substances.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YwdeEDrfPI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QqTwJzi7Wo

 Properties Dependent on IMFA

 Phase at room temperature

When molecules have strong intermolecular forces of attraction, they are packed close together.
They often exist as condensed phase (solid or liquid) at room temperature. When molecules have weak
intermolecular forces of attraction, they are far apart from each other. They often exist as gas at room
temperature.
 Solubility
Solubility refers to the ability of a substance to dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a
specified temperature. Recall the rule “like dissolves like.” When the solute and the solvent both exhibit
the same intermolecular forces of attraction, they form a solution.
EXAMPLE
Water and ethanol are polar substances. They both exhibit LDF, dipole - dipole forces, and
hydrogen bonding. When mixed together, they form a solution.

On the other hand, hexane and water do not have similar intermolecular forces of attraction.
The only attractive forces present in hexane are the relatively weak London dispersion forces. These
forces cannot significantly disrupt the strong hydrogen bonding among water molecules. Therefore,
hexane and water form a heterogeneous mixture.

 Melting point
Melting point is the temperature at which the substance changes from solid to liquid. Stronger
intermolecular forces means greater amount of energy is needed to break the attractive forces between
molecules. Substances with stronger IMFA have higher melting points compared to those with weaker
IMFA.
 Boiling point
Boiling point is the temperature at which the substance changes from liquid to gas. Similar to
melting point, stronger intermolecular forces means greater amount of energy is needed to break the
attractive forces between molecules. Substances with stronger IMFA have higher boiling points
compared to those with weaker IMFA.
 Surface Tension
Surface Tension is the tendency of a fluid to acquire the least possible surface area. Molecules
with stronger intermolecular forces will exert greater cohesive forces and acquire less surface area
(higher surface tension) than those with weaker IMFA.
 Viscosity
Viscosity is the measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. Molecules with stronger intermolecular
forces have greater resistance to flow, and thus, higher viscosity compared to those with weaker IMFA.
 Vapor Pressure
Vapor Pressure is the pressure exerted by a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid phase in a closed
system. Molecules with stronger intermolecular forces have less tendency to escape as gas, and thus
lower vapor pressure compared to those with weaker IMFA.
 Strengths of Intermolecular Forces
When comparing the strengths of intermolecular forces, check the difference in molecular
weight. If the difference is too large (>1000), then generally, the molecule with greater molecular weight
has stronger intermolecular forces. Otherwise, you may use the following strategy:
1. Check which molecule exhibits hydrogen bonding. This molecule will have stronger intermolecular
forces.
2. Check which molecule is polar. Polar molecules have stronger intermolecular forces.
3. Compare London dispersion forces. More massive molecules have stronger intermolecular forces.

EXAMPLES
Example 1
Which has higher boiling point, H2O or H2S?
Answer:
H2O exhibits hydrogen bonding. It has stronger intermolecular forces. Therefore, it has higher
boiling point than H2S.
Example 2
Which is most likely solid, F2 or I2?
Answer:
Both fluorine and iodine are nonpolar molecules. They exhibit London dispersion forces only.
Because iodine has higher molecular mass, it has stronger London dispersion forces. It is most likely to
be solid. (Indeed, I2 is solid while F2 is gas at room temperature.

 QUIZ TIME!

A. Directions: Compare the intramolecular forces of attraction present in the following compounds and
answer the questions.
1. Which has higher boiling point, HBr or HF?
2. Which is most likely gas at room temperature, CH4 or CH3Cl?

B. Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is CORRECT and change the underlined word if that makes the
statement WRONG or FAULTY. Write your answer before the number.
__________________1. The weakest IMFA is dipole-dipole force.
__________________2. London dispersion forces is present in nonpolar molecules
__________________3. IMFA is also called as Van der Waals forces.
__________________4. Intramolecular forces attraction are forces between molecules.
__________________5. When molecules have weak intermolecular forces of attraction, they are far
apart from each other.
__________________6. Molecules with stronger intermolecular forces have less tendency to escape as
liquid.
__________________7. Viscosity is the measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow.
__________________8. Substances with stronger IMFA have lower boiling points.
__________________9. Substances with stronger IMFA have lower melting points.
__________________10. Solution refers to the ability of a substance to dissolve in a given amount of
solvent at a specified temperature.