30
Predicting the Type and Relative Strength of Intermolecular Forces
Problem: Identify the dominant intermolecular force in each of these substances; select the substance with higher boiling point in each pair:
(a) MgCl 2 or PCl 3 (b) CH 3NH 2 or CH 3 F
(c) CH 3OH or CH 3CH 2OH (d) hexane or cyclohexane
Plan: Are ions present? Are the molecules polar or nonpolar? Is F, O, or N bound to H? Do the molecules have different masses or shapes?
Bonding forces are stronger than intermolecular forces. Hydrogen bonding is a strong type of dipole-dipole force. Dispersion forces are decisive when the major difference is molar mass or molecular shape.
| Previous slide | Next slide | Back to first slide | View graphic version |