Types of Intermolecular Forces of

Attraction
Objective: At the end of the lesson, you should be able to describe the general
types of intermolecular forces of attraction.

What are the types of intermolecular forces that can be present between mole-
cules?

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)
• The London dispersion force is the weakest intermolecular force.
• The London dispersion force is a temporary attractive force that results when
the electrons in two adjacent atoms occupy positions that make the atoms
form temporary dipoles.
• This force is sometimes called an induced dipole-induced dipole attraction.
• London forces are the attractive forces that cause nonpolar substances to
condense to liquids and to freeze into solids when the temperature is low-
ered sufficiently.
• Because of the constant motion of the electrons, an atom or molecule can
develop a temporary (instantaneous) dipole when its electrons are distribut-
ed unsymmetrically about the nucleus.
• A second atom or molecule, in turn, can be distorted by the appearance of
the dipole in the first atom or molecule (because electrons repel one anoth-
er) which leads to an electrostatic attraction between the two atoms or mol-
ecules.

• Dispersion forces are present between any two molecules (even polar mole-
cules) when they are almost touching.

Molecular Size
• Dispersion forces are present between all molecules, whether they are polar
or nonpolar.
• Larger and heavier atoms and molecules exhibit stronger dispersion forces
than smaller and lighter ones.
• In a larger atom or molecule, the valence electrons are, on average, farther
from the nuclei than in a smaller atom or molecule. They are less tightly held
and can more easily form temporary dipoles.
• The ease with which the electron distribution around an atom or molecule
can be distorted is called the polarizability.

London dispersion forces tend to be:

• stronger between molecules that are easily polarized.
• weaker between molecules that are not easily polarized.

Molecular Shape
The shapes of molecules also affect the magnitudes of dispersion forces be-
tween them.
• At room temperature, neopentane (C5H12) is a gas whereas n-pentane
(C5H12) is a liquid.
• London dispersion forces between n-pentane molecules are stronger than
those between neopentane molecules even though both molecules are
nonpolar and have the same molecular weight.
• The somewhat cylindrical shape of n-pentane molecules allows them to en-
counter each other more effectively than the somewhat spherical neopen-
tane molecules.

2. Dipole-dipole forces

• Dipole-dipole forces are attractive forces between the positive end of one
polar molecule and the negative end of another polar molecule.
• Dipole-dipole forces have strengths that range from 5 kJ to 20 kJ per mole.
They are much weaker than ionic or covalent bonds and have a significant
effect only when the molecules involved are close together (touching or al-
most touching).

The figures show two arrangements of polar iodine monochloride (ICl) mole-
cules that give rise to dipole-dipole attractions.

Note:
• Polar molecules have a partial negative end and a partial positive end.
• The partially positive end of a polar molecule is attracted to the partially neg-
ative end of another.
• In a ICl molecule the more electronegative chlorine atom bears the partial
negative charge; the less electronegative iodine atom bears the partial posi-
tive charge.
• The partially positive iodine end of one ICl molecule is attracted to the par-
tially negative chlorine end of another ICl molecule.
3. Hydrogen bonding
• A hydrogen bond is an electrostatic attraction between two polar groups
that occurs when a hydrogen (H) atom, covalently bound to a highly elec-
tronegative atom such as nitrogen (N), oxygen(O), or fluorine (F), experienc-
es the electrostatic field of another highly electronegative atom nearby.
• Hydrogen bonds can occur between molecules (intermolecular) or within
different parts of a single molecule (intramolecular). Depending on the na-
ture of the donor and acceptor atoms which constitute the bond, their ge-
ometry, and environment, the energy of a hydrogen bond can vary be-
tween 1 and 40 kcal/mol. This makes them somewhat stronger than a van
der Waals interaction, and weaker than covalent or ionic bonds. This type of
bond can occur in inorganic molecules such as water and in organic mole-
cules like DNA and proteins.
• Intermolecular hydrogen bonding is responsible for the high boiling point of
water (100 °C) compared to the other group 16 hydrides that have much
weaker hydrogen bonds. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding is partly responsi-
ble for the secondary and tertiary structures of proteins and nucleic acids. It
also plays an important role in the structure of polymers, both synthetic and
natural.

London dispersion forces

• present in all molecules
• caused by fluctuations in the electron distribution within atoms or molecules
• weak type of IMFA
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 instanta-
neous dipole.

The temporary dipole of a molecule induces instantaneous dipoles on neigh-

boring 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
• attractive forces between polar molecules
• result of the electrical interactions among dipoles on neighboring molecules
• moderately strong type of IMFA

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 nega-
tive side of another molecule.

• HCl is a polar molecule. It has partially positive and partially neg-

ative ends.

The partially positive end of the molecule is attracted to the partially nega-
tive side of another molecule.

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

Hydrogen bonding
• a special kind of dipole-dipole force
• an attractive force between a hydrogen atom of one molecule and a
highly electronegative atom (O, N, or F) of another molecule
• strongest type of IMFA

Example
Consider the water molecule, H2O.
The hydrogen of one molecule is attracted to the oxygen atom of another mole-
cule.

Try it!
Identify the types of intermolecular forces present between molecules of the
following substances:
1. CCl4 3. HI
2. HF

Tips
• The intermolecular forces discussed here are all attractive in nature. Howev-
er, keep in mind that repulsive forces also exist between molecules.
• A compound can have more than one type of IMFA.

What do you think?

During respiration, we inhale oxygen gas (O2) and exhale carbon dioxide
(CO2). Why do you think these compounds exist as gases at room temperature?

Key Points
Intermolecular forces are the attractive forces between molecules.
The three types of IMFA are London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole forces, and
hydrogen bonding.
Test Questions
1. Which of the following is not a type of intermolecular forces?
A. Dipole – dipole C. Covalent bonding
B. London dispersion D. Hydrogen bonding

2. Which of the following is a type of intermolecular forces present only in polar

molecules?
A. Dipole – dipole C. Ionic bonding
B. London dispersion D. Covalent bonding

3. Which of the following is a type of intermolecular forces present in all molecules?

A. Dipole – dipole C. Hydrogen bonding
B. London dispersion D. Covalent bonding

4. Which of the following results in an instantaneous dipole?

A. attraction between positive and negative ends of polar molecules
B. continuous movement of electrons in a molecule
C. presence of a highly electronegative atom in the molecule
D. attraction of hydrogen with an electronegative atom

5. Which of the following does not form hydrogen bonds?

A. H2S C. H2O
B. NH3 D. HF

6. Which compound has London dispersion forces only?

A. NH3 C. HF
B. H2O D. CO2

7. Which of the following compounds does not exhibit dipole-dipole forces?

A. H2O C. CO2
B. HCl D. SO2

8. Which of the following is not the intermolecular forces present in H2O?

A. dipole - dipole forces C. hydrogen bonding
B. London dispersion forces D. Coulombic forces

9. Which of the following has the strongest IMFA?

A. HF C. HCl
B. HI D. HBr
10. Both substances A and B are made up of nonpolar molecules, but A has a
greater size and mass than B. Which of the following statements is true about both
substances?
A. Both A and B exhibits London dispersion forces of the same strength.
B. A has a stronger London dispersion forces than B
C. B has a stronger London dispersion forces than A.
D. Neither A nor B exhibits London dispersion forces.