Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
Region I
School Division Office I Pangasinan
Malasiqui District I
MALASIQUI NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
PHYSICAL SCIENCE:
Intramolecular Forces
11- HUMSS ARISTOTLE
Submitted by:
Johana Marie A. Macasieb
Submitted to:
Mrs. Margaret Rosario-Dado
INTERMOLECULAR FORCES
What are Intermolecular Forces?
• The term “INTERmolecular forces” is used to describe the forces of attraction BETWEEN atoms,
molecules, and ions when they are placed close to each other.
• This is different from INTRAmolecular forces which is another word for the covalent bonds inside
molecules.
• When two particles experience intermolecular force, a positive (+) charge on one particle is attracted
to the negative (-) on the other particles.
• When intermolecular forces are strong, the atoms, molecules, and ions are strongly attracted to each
other, and draw closer together. These are more likely to be found in condensed states such as liquid or
solid.
• When intermolecular forces are weak, the atoms, molecules or ions do not have a strong attraction for
each other and move far apart.
Intermolecular Forces (IMF) are the attractive and repulsive forces that arise between the molecules of
a substance. These forces mediate the interactions between individual molecules of a substance.
Intermolecular forces are responsible for most physical and chemical properties of matter. Forces also
exist between the molecules themselves and these are collectively referred to as intermolecular forces.
Intermolecular Forces are mainly responsible for the physical characteristics of the substance.
Intermolecular forces are responsible for the condensed states of matter. The particles making up solids
and liquids are held together by intermolecular forces and these forces affects a number of the physical
properties of matter in these two states.
An IMF is an attractive force that arises between the positive components (protons) of one molecule and
the negative components (electrons) of another molecule. Various physical and chemical properties of a
substance are dependent on this force.
The boiling point of a substance is proportional to the strength of its intermolecular forces, the higher
the boiling point. By comparing the boiling points of different substances, we can compare the strengths
of their intermolecular forces. This is because the heat absorbed by the substance at its boiling point is
used to break these intermolecular forces and to convert the liquid into vapor.
TYPES OF INTERMOLECULAR FORCES
There are three types of intermolecular forces: London dispersion forces (LDF), Dipole-dipole
interactions, and hydrogen bonding. Molecules can have any mix of these three kinds of intermolecular
forces, but all substances at least have LDF.
1. London Dispersion Forces (LDF’s)
London dispersion forces are present in molecules, regardless of the polarity. This is the weakest among
the intermolecular forces. They originate from the fluctuations of the electron distribution around the
molecule overtime. Since larger molecules have larger electron clouds, they exhibit stronger dispersion
forces than smaller molecules. LDR arise from instantaneous polarities across a molecule from the
circulations of electrons. An instantaneous polarity in one molecule may induce an opposing polarity in
an adjacent molecule, resulting in a series of attractive forces among neighboring molecules. Molecules
with higher molecular weights have more electrons. This makes their electron clouds more deformable
from nearby charges, a characteristic called polarizability. As a result, molecules with higher molecular
weights have higher LDF and consequently have higher melting points, boiling points and enthalpies of
vaporization.
2. Dipole- Dipole Interactions
Dipole-dipole interactions are attractive forces among polar molecules. Polar molecules have permanent
dipoles that are formed due to differences in the electro negativities of the atoms that are associated
with a covalent bond. The partially positive portion of one molecule is attracted to partially negative
portion of another molecule. These forces are present only in polar molecules (i.e., those with a net
dipole moment). This kind of force is uneven distribution of electrons.
Example: Dipole-dipole occur in HCI molecules. Chlorine is comparatively more electronegative than
hydrogen and it, therefore, acquires a partial negative charge (whereas hydrogen acquires partial
positive charge). The dipole-dipole interaction then takes place between HCI molecules.
3. Hydrogen Bonds
Hydrogen bond is a special type of dipole-dipole interaction that occurs in molecules having a hydrogen
atom bonded to an electronegative atom such as fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen. It is the strongest
intermolecular force of attraction among the three.