CAPITOL UNIVERSITY

Cagayan de Oro City

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

LESSON PACKET

SUBJECT: General Chemistry 2

ESSENTIAL TOPICS: Kinetic Molecular Model of Liquids and Solids LESSON CODE: W1L1
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1) Use the kinetic molecular model to explain properties of liquids and solids
2) Describe and differentiate the types of intermolecular forces
3) Describe the following properties of liquids, and explain the effect of
intermolecular forces on these properties: surface tension, viscosity, vapor
pressure, boiling point, and molar heat of vaporization
4) Explain the properties of water with its molecular structure and intermolecular
forces

DISCUSSION

THE KINETIC MOLECULAR MODEL

 “KINETIC”- comes from the Greek word “kinein” which means “to move”
 The KINETIC MOLECULAR MODEL is used to explain the properties of liquid and solid molecules, as well
as the forces of attraction that account for such properties.
 The KINETIC ENERGY of the particle is the energy needed to keep the particles moving, which is
dependent upon temperature.

The particles of each phase of matter are explained by the following postulates:

 The particles of solids are closely packed together. Because of their compact arrangement, solids have
definite sizes and shapes. This particle arrangement is also responsible for their malleability (the ability of
a solid to be formed into thin sheets without breaking) and ductility (the ability of the solid to be formed
into thin wires). Different states of solids may exist as solid particles can rearrange differently and follow a
specific stacking pattern depending on the current temperature and pressure conditions when the solid is
being formed. Solids usually have strong forces of attraction.
 The particles of liquids are slightly far from one another. This amount of space enables liquids to flow and
take the shape of their containers. Thus, they have no definite sizes and shapes
 The particles of gases move freely and are very far from one another, which is why you cannot see them.
Furthermore, gases diffuse easily.

Intermolecular Forces of Attraction (IMFA)

 This pertains to forces that hold individual particles such as atoms, molecules, or ions together.
 The strength of the IMFA is dependent on the following:
 arrangement of the particles
 the proximity of particles relative to one another
 the nature of the interacting particles
 The IMFA influence the resulting properties of solids, liquids, and gases, such as boiling point, viscosity,
vapor pressure, and heat of vaporization.
 Generally, the stronger the IMFA, the greater is the required amount of energy to overcome these forces
 The IMFA are also responsible for interactions within a molecule, such as covalent and ionic bonds.
 These are the several types of IMFA, also called as van der Waals forces (named after the Dutch scientist
Johannes Diderik van der Waals, 1837-1923)
1. London dispersion force (named after the German-born physicist Fritz London) - is the weakest
among the intermolecular forces. This is caused by polarization (the distortion of the electron
cloud brought about by the presence of a highly charged particle, in this case, the electron cloud of
one atom is attracted to the positively charged nucleus of another atom. The number of electrons in
an atom affects the polarizability of the atom. As a result, the larger the electron cloud, the higher
 the chances of the atom getting attracted by a positively charged particle. This results in the
formation of temporary dipoles (one end of an atom is partially positive and the other end is
partially negative. To summarize, the London dispersion force happens when one molecule
with a temporary dipole exerts a weak attractive force on another molecule. And since
it is caused by polarization, the strength of this force depends on the number of
electrons present. (Ex: CO2, H2, O2, and N2, halogens such as Xe and Ar). Because of the
relatively weak attraction of this type of IMF, it is significant over a short distance only, which is
approximately 3 x 10-9 meters. However, the London dispersion force is responsible for the
condensation and solidification of these molecules.
2. Dipole-dipole interaction - it occurs between partially positive (δ+) and partially
negative (δ-) ends. This interaction is observed in polar covalent molecules such as amino acids
wherein the electrons are shared both by oxygen and carbon atoms. However, due to the
electronegativity of the oxygen atom, it assumes a partially negative charge, whereas the carbon
atom assumes a partially positive charge. This type of force is effective over a short distance only,
as it is weak, containing only 1% of the strength of the ionic bonds. Moreover, an increase in
temperature diminishes the strength of a dipole-dipole interaction, which may explain the observed
volatility of certain polar covalent compounds such as sulfur dioxide.
3. Ion-dipole interaction – this arises from the interaction between an ion and a polar
molecule. If the molecule is an anion, it will be attracted to the partially positive end of the polar
molecule; however, if the molecule is a cation, it will be attracted to the partially negative end of
the polar molecule. The ion-dipole interaction is responsible for the formation of cations in a
solution. Cations are formed from ionic solids such as CaCl2. Elements belonging to groups I and II
of the periodic table, such as calcium (Ca2+), lose electrons easily, and thus form cations.
4. Hydrogen bond – it is a special kind of a dipole-dipole interaction which is formed when
hydrogen bonds with fluorine, oxygen and nitrogen. In a hydrogen bond, the partially
positive end of the hydrogen atom is attracted to the partially negative end of fluorine,
oxygen, or nitrogen. Generally, hydrogen bonds are still weaker than ionic or covalent bonds, but
they are the strongest IMFA (when the hydrogen bond is present between two atoms of two
different molecules). The strength of the hydrogen bond is the reason for the high melting and
boiling points of water, ammonia, and alcohols such as methanol.

A flow diagram for identifying the IMFA

END