Question

The interaction energy of London force is inversely proportional to sixth power of the distance between two interacting particles, but their magnitude depends upon

• A. strength of permanent dipoles in the particles
• B. charge of interacting particles
• C. mass of interacting particles
• D. polarisability of interacting particles

Answer 1

The correct option is D

polarisability of interacting particles

London force

London forces are defined as a temporary attractive force due to the formation of temporary dipoles in a non-polar molecule.

Interaction energy of London force $\propto \frac{1}{r^6}$

London force & polarisability

These forces are important only at short distances $(\sim 500pm)$ and their magnitude depends on the polarisability of the particle.

Larger the molecular size, more is the polarisability and more would be the strength of dispersion forces/london forces