Question

How can I determine the intermolecular forces of attraction?

Answer 1

To determine the intermolecular forces of attraction we have to know about the electronegativity or electro positivity of each atom present in a given compound or molecule.

Complete answer:
As the name ‘intermolecular forces of attraction’ suggested, it is a kind of attraction force which is present between two neighboring oppositely charged species in a compound.
- For the determination of the intermolecular attraction forces we have to know about the electronegativity of the species which are present in a compound, so that we assure that which atom has positive or negative charge. As electronegativity is directly proportional to the electron attracting power.
- In between the polar molecules this attraction force is present which is resultant due to polarity of the molecule and known by the name of dipole-dipole attraction forces.
- In between the ions and polar molecules this force is present which is resultant due to attraction between the cation or anion and polar molecule, and known by the name of ion-dipole attraction forces.
- In between the cations and anions this force is present which is resultant due to attraction between these ions, and known by the name of ion-ion attraction forces.
- In covalent molecules this force is also present in every stage which is resultant due to electronegativity difference between the atoms, and known by the name of dispersion attraction forces.
- It is also present between the hydrogen atom which is a most electropositive atom and most electronegative atoms like fluorine, oxygen and nitrogen and known by the name of hydrogen bonding.

Note: Here some of you may think that intramolecular forces and intermolecular forces are the same, but that assumption is wrong because intramolecular forces are present within a single species and intermolecular forces are present between two different species.