MOLECULAR POLARITY AND INTERMOLECULAR FORCES (IMFS)
Understanding molecular polarity and IMFs helps explain why substances behave differently—why
some evaporate quickly, dissolve in water, or exist as gas, liquid, or solid. Students will learn how a
molecule’s shape and electron distribution determine its polarity, and how polarity influences the
strength of the forces attracting molecules to each other. These forces, called intermolecular forces,
play a major role in physical properties such as boiling point, melting point, viscosity, volatility, and
solubility.
A. Molecular Geometry (Shape of Molecules)
Molecular geometry describes the 3D arrangement of atoms around a central atom and is predicted
using the VSEPR theory (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion). Lone pairs and bonded atoms
push each other away, resulting in specific shapes like linear, bent, trigonal planar, or tetrahedral. For
example, CH₄ (methane) forms a tetrahedral shape because its four bonding pairs repel equally
around the central carbon.
Why it matters:
⭐ The shape determines whether dipoles cancel or not, which is the basis of polarity.
B. Molecular Polarity (Distribution of Charge)
Polarity occurs when electrons are not shared equally, creating a partial positive and partial negative
end. A molecule becomes polar if it has an asymmetric shape that prevents dipoles from canceling,
and nonpolar if the shape is symmetrical. For example, H₂O is polar due to its bent shape, while
CO₂ is nonpolar because its linear shape cancels dipoles.
Why it matters:
⭐ Polar molecules have stronger attractions to each other, affecting boiling point and solubility.
⭐ Polarity explains why water is an excellent universal solvent.
C. London Dispersion Forces (LDF)
London dispersion forces are weak attractions caused by temporary shifts in electron clouds, creating
momentary dipoles. They are present in all molecules, but are the only force in nonpolar molecules
like noble gases and hydrocarbons. For example, argon atoms only stay together through dispersion
forces, which is why argon is a gas at room temperature.
Why it matters:
⭐ Larger atoms/molecules have stronger LDF, explaining why iodine (solid) is heavier than fluorine
(gas) even though both are halogens.
D. Dipole-Dipole Forces
Dipole-dipole forces occur between molecules with permanent dipoles, meaning they have fixed
positive and negative ends. These forces are stronger than London dispersion forces because they
rely on permanent charge separation. For example, SO₂ molecules attract each other through
dipole-dipole interactions due to their bent shape and polarity.
Why it matters:
⭐ Dipole-dipole interactions explain why polar substances generally have higher boiling points
than nonpolar ones of similar mass.
E. Hydrogen Bonding
Hydrogen bonding is the strongest type of dipole-dipole attraction and occurs only when hydrogen is
bonded to N, O, or F, the most electronegative elements. This results in very strong attractions that
significantly affect physical properties. For example, water molecules form hydrogen bonds, causing
water to have a very high boiling point relative to its size.
Why it matters:
⭐ Hydrogen bonds explain why ice floats, why DNA strands stick together, and why alcohol
evaporates slower than acetone.
F. Relationship Between IMFs and Boiling Point
The boiling point of a substance increases as IMF strength increases because more energy is
needed to separate molecules. Molecules with strong hydrogen bonds have the highest boiling
points, while those with only LDF have the lowest. For example, ethanol (with hydrogen bonding)
boils at 78°C, while propane (nonpolar) boils at –42°C.
Why it matters:
⭐ Boiling point trends help predict whether a substance is a solid, liquid, or gas at room temperature.
G. Relationship Between IMFs and Solubility (“Like dissolves like”)
Polar solvents dissolve polar solutes because their dipoles attract, while nonpolar solvents dissolve
nonpolar solutes through dispersion forces. If solute-solvent IMFs are compatible, the solute
dissolves easily. For example, salt dissolves in water due to ion-dipole attraction, while oil
dissolves only in gasoline, not in water.
Why it matters:
⭐ Solubility helps us understand biological processes, industrial mixing, cleaning, and drug
absorption.
H. Real-Life Applications of Polarity and IMFs
Here are practical examples students can connect with everyday life:
Perfume evaporates quickly because it contains weakly bonded nonpolar molecules.
Water beads on waxed cars because water is polar while wax is nonpolar.
Vegetable oil floats on water because they have different IMFs and won’t mix.
Geckos stick to walls partly due to London dispersion forces on their toe pads.
Ice floats because hydrogen bonding forms an open crystal structure, making ice less dense.
