What are Intermolecular Forces?
Intermolecular forces are the forces that exist between molecules. Intermolecular forces of attraction are much weaker than intramolecular forces of attraction, but they are important because they determine the physical properties of molecules such as boiling point, melting point, density, and fusion and vaporisation enthalpies.
Types of Intermolecular Forces are:
- Dipole-dipole interactions
- Hydrogen Bonding
- London Dispersion Forces
Table of Contents
- What type of Intermolecular Force is Present in N2?
- What is London Dispersion Force?
- Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What type of Intermolecular Force is Present in N2?
Nitrogen is a chemical element with the atomic number 7 and the symbol N.
Two atoms of the element bind to form N2, a colourless and odourless diatomic gas, at standard temperature and pressure. N2 constitutes approximately 78 % of the Earth’s atmosphere, making it the most abundant uncombined element. Nitrogen is found in all organisms, most notably in amino acids (and thus proteins), nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), and the energy transfer molecule adenosine triphosphate. The human body contains about 3% nitrogen by mass, making it the fourth most abundant element after oxygen, carbon, and hydrogen.
The molecular geometry of N2 is a linear structure, it is a nonpolar molecule. As a result, both atoms have equal electronegativity and share an equal proportion of charge, and the molecule as a whole has a net-zero dipole moment.
Since both nitrogen atoms have the same degree of electro-negativity, nitrogen gas (N2) is diatomic and non-polar. Therefore, nitrogen atoms stick together to form a liquid due to London dispersion forces.
What is London Dispersion Force?
Every atom and molecule contains electrons, and these electrons are constantly moving. These electrons can be closer to one side of a molecule than the other at any given time. When electrons are concentrated at one end of a molecule, it becomes slightly negative. Where the electrons are not as concentrated, the opposite end becomes slightly positive. This molecule is currently a temporary dipole. Because the negative side of the first molecule causes electrons to run away on the other molecule (because negative (-) repels negative (-), this dipole can encourage a nearby molecule to also become a dipole.
These two adjacent dipoles formed by electron movement are now attracted to each other. This extremely weak intermolecular force is known as the London dispersion force. The London dispersion force is a weak intermolecular force caused by electron motion in molecules, which creates temporary dipoles. The London dispersion force is also known as a “Van der Waals force.”
The Van der Waals force is a broad term that refers to any attractive intermolecular force between molecules, including the London dispersion force and the dipole-dipole force.
Frequently Asked Questions on N2 Intermolecular Forces
What are the intermolecular forces in N2?
Since N2 molecules are nonpolar, only dispersion forces exist.
Why is N2 non-polar?
The molecular geometry of N2 is a linear structure, it is a nonpolar molecule. As a result, both atoms have equal electronegativity and share an equal proportion of charge, and the molecule as a whole has a net-zero dipole moment.
What molecules have London dispersion forces?
London dispersion forces are the weakest intermolecular forces that exist between all types of molecules, whether ionic or covalent—polar or nonpolar. The greater the strength of the London dispersion forces, the more electrons a molecule has.
What is the difference between intramolecular and intermolecular forces?
Intramolecular forces are the forces that hold the atoms in a compound together – in other words, they are chemical bonds. Intermolecular forces, on the other hand, are the forces that connect two covalent molecules.
What is London Dispersion Force?
The London dispersion force is a weak intermolecular force caused by electron motion in molecules, which results in the formation of temporary dipoles. A “Van der Waals force” is another name for the London dispersion force.
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