Van der Waal’s Forces
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Van der Waal’s forces are the weakest intermolecular force, are a temporary induced dipole-dipole and last for only a fraction of a second. They are produced when a symmetrical atoms electron configuration is disturbed and losses its symmetrical electron configuration. This causes the atom to become polarised. The polar force of the atom can convert another atom nearby to become polarised as well. With both atoms having a charge they attract each other like magnets. Van der waals force is increased with the size of the atom and number of electrons.

One example of Van der waals forces is the boiling points of Ethane and Pentane. Ethane is a gas at room temperature and has a boiling point of 185K while Pentane is a liquid at room temperature and has a boiling point of 309K.

Pentane is a larger molecule than Ethane and so has more Van Der Waal forces; this is the cause of the higher boiling point and states of matter.

Other Notes in this Category

1. Radiation: properties of different types of radiation
2. Van
3. Van der Waal’s Forces

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