Intermolecular Forces

Topic Content:

What are Intermolecular Forces?

Intermolecular Forces are attractive forces existing between covalent molecules and noble gases. They are relatively weak attractive forces when compared with electrovalentAn electrovalent or ionic bond is formed when a metal atom transfers one or more electrons to a non-metal atom. Ionic or electrovalent compounds are those compounds which are formed by... More and covalent molecules.

Types of Intermolecular Forces:

1. Vander Waals forces
2. Dipole – (Dipolar) forces
3. Hydrogen bonds

Vander Waals Forces:

These are very weak intermolecular forces operating between covalent molecules. They exist in solid, liquid, and gaseous states.

Vander Waals forces are responsible for the low melting and boiling points of covalent compounds. Vander Waals force exists in the following organic compounds: naphthalene, graphite, dichloromethane, etc.

Dipole – Dipole (dipolar) Forces:

These are forces of