UNIVERSITY OF GUYANA

FACULTY OF NATURAL SCIENCES

Department of Chemistry
CHM 1103 Laboratory Exercise #6

Intermolecular Forces, Structure and Bonding

A: To investigate some solubility relationships

Theory

The dissolving process involves a consideration of the relative strength of three intermolecular
attractive forces. The type of forces between solute-solute molecules and solvent-solvent
molecules must be considered. These intermolecular attractions must be broken before new
solute-solvent attractive forces can become effective. A solution will dissolve in a solvent if the
solute-solvent forces of attraction are great enough to overcome the solute-solute and solvent-
solvent forces of attraction. A solute will not dissolve if the solute-solvent forces of attraction are
weaker than individual solute and solvent intermolecular attractions. Generally, if all of the
intermolecular forces of attraction are roughly equal, the substances will be soluble in each other.

Objectives

In this lab you will be exploring the relationship between polarity and solubility. By combining
substances of varying polarities you will be able to make some general rules regarding polarity
and solubility.

A: Intermolecular Forces
Procedure
1. Try to dissolve a crystal of NaCl and a small flake of naphthalene/menthol crystal in
1 cm3 of each of the following solvents commonly found in the home; kerosene,
ethanol (rubbing alcohol/methylated spirits), acetone (nail polish remover) and
water. State whether the solids are insoluble, sparingly soluble, soluble or very
soluble in each of the solvents.
2. Determine whether the solvents mix with one another. Use no more than 1 cm 3
liquid. Just state whether miscible or immiscible.
3. Use your observation from 1 and 2 above, along with course content from CHM
1102, to identify the dominant intermolecular forces for each mixture.[2 marks]
B: Lewis structures and molecular shape
1. Determine the Lewis structure of trichloromethane/formaldehyde/methanol. The
compound you select will depend on the first letter of your surname as follow:
 A – F Trichloromethane
 G – O Formaldehyde
 P – Z Methanol
2. Predict its molecular shape: you must include a sketch along with bond angles.
3. Use Styrofoam spheres/play dough/any other available and appropriate material to
construct a model of your molecule. Take a snapshot of your model and insert it into
the space provided.
4. Show bond polarities and state whether the molecule is a polar molecule.