The first type of intermolecular forces that we consider are van der Waals forces, after Dutch chemist Johannes van der Waals (1837-1923). Van der Waals forces are the weakest intermolecular force, and consist of dipole-dipole forces and dispersion forces.
The first type of intermolecular forces that we consider are van der Waals forces, after Dutch chemist Johannes van der Waals (1837-1923). Van der Waals forces are the weakest intermolecular force, and consist of dipole-dipole forces and dispersion forces.
Dipole-dipole forces are the attractive forces that occur between polar molecules. A molecule of hydrogen chloride has a partially positive hydrogen atom and a partially negative chlorine atom. In a collection of many hydrogen chloride molecules, the molecules will align themselves so that the oppositely charged regions of neighboring molecules are near each other.
London Dispersion Forces
Dispersion forces are also considered a type of van der Waals force and are the weakest of all intermolecular forces. They are often called London dispersion forces after Fritz London (1900-1954), who first proposed their existence in 1930. London dispersion forces are the intermolecular forces that occur between atoms, and between nonpolar molecules as a result of the motion of electrons.
The electron cloud of a helium atom contains two electrons, which can normally be expected to be equally distributed spatially around the nucleus. However, at any given moment the electron distribution may be uneven, resulting in an instantaneous dipole. This weak and temporary dipole subsequently influences neighboring helium atoms through electrostatic attraction and repulsion. It induces a dipole on nearby helium atoms (see figure below).
Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): A short-lived or instantaneous dipole in a helium atom. (Credit: Zachary Wilson; Source: CK-12 Foundation; License: CC BY-NC 3.0(opens in new window))
The instantaneous and induced dipoles are weakly attracted to one another. The strength of dispersion forces increases as the number of electrons in the atoms or nonpolar molecules increases.
The halogen group consists of four elements that all take the form of nonpolar diatomic molecules. The table below shows a comparison of the melting and boiling points for each.
Melting and Boiling Points of Halogens Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): Melting and Boiling Points of Halogens Molecule Total Number of Electrons Melting Point \(\left( ^\text{o} \text{C} \right)\) Boiling Point \(\left( ^\text{o} \text{C} \right)\) Physical State at Room Temperature \(\ce{F_2}\) 18 -220 -188 gas \(\ce{Cl_2}\) 34 -102 -34 gas \(\ce{Br_2}\) 70 -7 59 liquid \(\ce{I_2}\) 106 114 184 solid
The dispersion forces are strongest for iodine molecules because they have the greatest number of electrons. The relatively stronger forces result in melting and boiling points that are the highest of the halogen group. These forces are strong enough to hold iodine molecules close together in the solid state at room temperature. The dispersion forces are progressively weaker for bromine, chloride, and fluorine; this is illustrated in their steadily lower melting and boiling points. Bromine is a liquid at room temperature, while chlorine and fluorine are gases whose molecules are much further apart from one another. Intermolecular forces are nearly nonexistent in the gas state, and so the dispersion forces in chlorine and fluorine only become measurable as the temperature decreases and they condense into the liquid state.
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Thus, we will think of these bonds in the following order (strongest to weakest): Covalent, Ionic, Hydrogen, and van der Waals. Also note that in Chemistry, the weakest bonds are more commonly referred to as “dispersion forces.”
There are four types of chemical bonds essential for life to exist: Ionic Bonds, Covalent Bonds, Hydrogen Bonds, and van der Waals interactions. We need all of these different kinds of bonds to play various roles in biochemical interactions. These bonds vary in their strengths. In Chemistry, we think of Ionic Bonds and Covalent bonds as having an overlapping range of strengths. But remember, in biochemistry, everything is happening in the context of water. This means Ionic bonds tend to dissociate in water. Thus, we will think of these bonds in the following order (strongest to weakest): Covalent, Ionic, Hydrogen, and van der Waals. Also note that in Chemistry, the weakest bonds are more commonly referred to as “dispersion forces.”
There are four types of chemical bonds essential for life to exist
Ionic Bonds: bonds formed between ions with opposite charges
Covalent Bonds: atoms bonded by sharing electrons
Hydrogen Bonds: hydrogen attracts and bonds to neighboring negative charges.
van der Waals interactions: intermolecular interactions that do not involve covalent bonds or ions
We need all of these different kinds of bonds to play various roles in biochemical interactions. These bonds vary
in their strengths. In Chemistry, we think of Ionic Bonds and Covalent bonds as having an overlapping range of
strengths. But remember, in biochemistry, everything is happening in the context of water. This means Ionic
bonds tend to dissociate in water. Thus, we will think of these bonds in the following order (strongest to weakest):
Covalent > Ionic > Hydrogen > van der Waals
Also note that in Chemistry, the weakest bonds are more commonly referred to as “dispersion forces.”
Learn more about the four types of chemical bonds in depth in our educational video below:
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