9: Molecular Polarity, Intermolecular Forces and Solubility
-
- 9.2: Intermolecular Forces
- As was the case for gaseous substances, the kinetic molecular theory may be used to explain the behavior of solids and liquids. In the following description, the term particle will be used to refer to an atom, molecule, or ion. Note that we will use the popular phrase “intermolecular attraction” to refer to attractive forces between the particles of a substance, regardless of whether these particles are molecules, atoms, or ions.
Thumbnail: Diagram illustrating the polarity of a general carbon-fluorine bond, with a partial positive charge on carbon (δ+) and a partial negative charge of fluorine (δ−). Representation of Cδ+−Fδ− . (public domain, 4.0; Ben Mills via Wikimedia )