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6.3: Intermolecular Forces

  • Page ID
    415347
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    Learning Objectives
    • Describe the types of intermolecular forces possible between atoms or molecules in condensed phases (dispersion forces, dipole-dipole attractions, and hydrogen bonding)

    Forces between Molecules

    Intramolecular forces are those within the molecule that keep the molecule together, for example, the bonds between the atoms. However, there are also forces of attraction that can occur between molecules. Intermolecular forces (IMFs) are the attractions between molecules, which determine many of the physical properties of a substance. Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\) illustrates these different molecular forces. The strengths of these attractive forces vary widely, though usually the IMFs between small molecules are weak compared to the intramolecular forces that bond atoms together within a molecule.

    CNX_Chem_10_01_IntravInter.jpg
    Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): Intramolecular forces keep a molecule intact. Intermolecular forces hold multiple molecules together and determine many of a substance’s properties.
    An image is shown in which two molecules composed of a green sphere labeled “C l” connected on the right to a white sphere labeled “H” are near one another with a dotted line labeled “Intermolecular force ( weak )” drawn between them. A line connects the two spheres in each molecule and the line is labeled “Intramolecular force ( strong ).”

    6.3: Intermolecular Forces is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.