 Intermolecular forces are forces that act

between molecules.
 When atoms are joined to one another
they form molecules, and these molecules
in turn have forces that bind them
together. These forces are known
as intermolecular forces.
 Allow us to determine which substances
are likely to dissolve in which other
substances and what the melting and
boiling points of substances are.
NOTE:
Interatomic (between atoms) forces are also known as intramolecular (within
molecules) forces. You can remember this by thinking of international which means
between nations.
1. Ion-dipole forces
As the name suggests, this type of intermolecular
force exists between an ion and
a dipole (polar) molecule. You will remember that
an ion is a charged atom, and
this will be attracted to one of the charged ends of
the polar molecule. A positive
ion will be attracted to the negative pole of the
polar molecule, while a negative
ion will be attracted to the positive pole of the
polar molecule. This can be seen
when sodium chloride (NaCl) dissolves in water.
2. Ion-induced-dipole forces
FACT to ion-dipole forces these forces exist
Similar
between ions and non-polar molecules.
These intermolecular
The ionare
forces induces a dipole in the non-polar
also sometimes
molecule leading to a weak, short lived
called “London forces” or
force which holds the compounds together.
“momentary
These dipole”
forces are found in haemoglobin (the
forces or that
molecule “dispersion”
carries oxygen around
your body). Haemoglobin has Fe2+ ions. Oxygen
forces.
(O2) is attracted to these ions
by ion-induced dipole forces.
3. 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 4kJ/
mol. This interaction is effective over a very
short range.
Dipole-dipole interaction
As the name implies, this type of
intermolecular bond involves a hydrogen atom.
When a molecule contains a hydrogen atom
covalently bonded to a highly electronegative
atom (O, N or F) this type of intermolecular
force can occur. The highly electronegative
atom on one molecule attracts the hydrogen
atom on a nearby molecule.
Water H2Omolecules for example, are held together
by hydrogen bonds between the hydrogen
atom of one molecule and the oxygen atom of
another Hydrogen bonds are a relatively strong
intermolecular force and are stronger than other
dipole dipole forces. It is important to note however,
that hydrogen bonds are weaker than
the covalent and ionic bonds that exist between
atoms.
 A phenomenon
caused by cohesive forces
(intermolecular forces)
between molecules
allowing liquids to create a
thin film on its surface.
This causes liquids to
acquire a certain shape
when put on a container or
dropped on surfaces.
Certain insects or reptiles being able to walk/
glide over water. (water striders, fisher
spiders, basilisk lizard). Basilisk lizard or the
Jesus lizard being able to walk in water by
virtue of surface tension.
Water striders are also able to walk or stride in
the water due to surface tension.
Concave meniscus
Occurs when there is stronger adhesive force
between the container and the liquid than
the liquid’s molecules. The adhesive force
overcomes the cohesive force of the liquid.
This causes the liquid to climb up the sides of
the container.
Adhesion - interaction between different
materials touching each other e.g. Tape and
paper, skin and glass, etc.

Cohesion - interaction between same materials

Occurs when there is stronger cohesive force
between the liquid’s molecules than the
adhesive force between the liquid and the
container. This causes the liquid to create a
dome shape on its surface.
Is the resistance of a liquid to flow. The more
viscous a liquid is the thicker its consistency. In
layman’s term it is the measure of the
thickness of a liquid. In general, stronger
intermolecular forces leads to higher viscosity.
A phenomenon wherein a
liquid is able to rise up on a
narrow tube. Adhesive
forces between the tube
and the liquid allow the
liquid to
exceed its weight. The
narrower the tube, the
higher the liquid will reach.
Evaporation is the process of turning liquid into
gaseous form. Weaker intermolecular
forces equates to greater volatility.