Physical Science

Quarter 3 – Module 5:
Intermolecular Forces of
Attraction
Physical Science – Grade 11/12
Quarter 3 – Module 5: Intermolecular Forces of Attraction
First Edition, 2021

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Physical Science
Quarter 3 – Module 5:
Intermolecular Forces of
Attraction
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to
use this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress
while allowing them to manage their own learning at home.
Furthermore, you are expected to encourage and assist the learners as
they do the tasks included in the module.

For the learner:

As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own
learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different
activities in the module.
As you go through the different activities of this module be
reminded of the following:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any
part of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the
exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let Us Try before moving on to the other
activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking
your answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this
module, do not hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always
bear in mind that you are not alone. We hope that through this material,
you will experience meaningful learning and gain deep understanding
of the relevant competencies. You can do it!

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 Let Us Learn

A wonderful day to you little scientist! In this module, you will learn the
concept of Intermolecular Forces of Attraction.

Specifically, you are expected to:

Describe the general types of intermolecular forces (Hydrogen bonding,

Dipole-Dipole, London Dispersion, and Ion-Dipole).

Let Us Try!

Choose the best answer and write this on a separate paper.

1. What type of Intermolecular Force of attraction exists between

molecules with hydrogen bonded to high electronegative atom such as
Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Fluorine?
A. Ion-Dipole
B. Dipole-Dipole
C. London Dispersion
D. Hydrogen Bonding

2. What type of Intermolecular force of attraction exists between

molecules with polar covalent molecule bonded to a Cation or Anion
atom?
A. Hydrogen Bonding
B. London Dispersion
C. Dipole-Dipole
D. Ion-Dipole

3. Which of the following statements below is TRUE with regards to

London Dispersion as Intermolecular Force of Attraction?
A. It occurs in polar molecules.
B. It includes a dipole attracted to an ion.
C. It is the weakest type Intermolecular Force.
D. Electrons only stay at one area of the atom.

4. What type of Intermolecular force of attraction exists between

molecules that are non-polar?
A. Ion-Dipole C. London Dispersion
B. Dipole-Dipole D. Hydrogen Bonding

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5. Which of the following examples below exhibits dipole-dipole
intermolecular force of attraction?
A. The partial positive pole of iodine monochloride is attracted to the
partial negative pole of another iodine monochloride molecule.
B. Two molecules containing Hydrogen and Nitrogen attracted to one
another.
C. A molecule of water containing Chlorine ion attracted to another
molecule but with opposing charge.
D. Two Diatomic hydrogen gas attracted to one another with an
instantaneous force of attraction.

Let Us Study

Read the story below and study the follow-up lesson.

“Will they Boil Together?”

Anna was a young girl who wish to

become a chemist in the future.
One day, she wished to test her
hypothesis that all substances boil
at the same rate provided with the
following conditions: (1) all
substances must be exposed to the
same amount of heat, (2) all
substances must be on the same
volume, (3) all substances must be
under the same state (e.g. liquid),
and (4) substances must have the
same initial temperature.

The result of the experiment showed that even those conditions were applied,
the substances boiled under different rate. Ana wondered if something went
wrong with the experiment that produced a result different from what she
predicted.

Her older brother, Oliver, tried to provide an explanation and said “Maybe
the weather influenced the results of the experiment, just like how rainy days
make me sad.” Her friend Jack while holding a teddy bear said “Nope!

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Remember you accidentally stepped on this poor teddy bear? It probably
placed a curse on your experiment! Ha ha…”

What could be the reason why the experiment produced a result different
from what she predicted? Would you agree with Oliver that it was caused by
the weather or was it because of the teddy bear as what Jack said? Or
perhaps is there a more scientific explanation behind it?

The Intermolecular Forces of Attraction

Although Anna, as mentioned in the story, made sure that factors that could
affect the rate of boiling point of substances were uniform (such as the initial
temperature and the state of the matter), what she was not able to consider
are the forces that exist between the molecules of her sample substances.
These forces that exist between the molecules are called Intermolecular
Forces, which are as follows: Hydrogen bonding, Dipole-dipole, London
Dispersion, Ion-Dipole.

The first intermolecular force of attraction that we are going to discuss involve
forces that exist between polar covalent molecules. Recall that covalent
bonding exists when there is a sharing of electrons between two non-metallic
elements. Although the electrons are shared between the atoms, some
electrons spend more time to the atom that have stronger attraction – a
property known as electronegativity. The resulting molecule will have a
partial positive charge
(δ+) and a partial negative charge (δ-). Just like a magnet with two opposite
poles, the resulting molecule with a partial positive pole and a partial negative
pole is called a dipole.

When a dipole molecule with its partial positive charge is attracted to the
partial
negative pole of another dipole molecule
(or vice versa), the Intermolecular force of
attraction is called dipole-dipole.
Example of the dipole-dipole is the
molecules of the Iodine monochloride
(ICL).

Notice that the partial positive pole of the

Iodine monochloride molecule is attracted
“Image showing molecules of Iodine
monochloride.”
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to the opposite charge of the same
molecule (denoted by the dotted lines).

The next intermolecular force of attraction is similar to dipole-dipole. It is

called the Hydrogen Bonding. By the name itself, this type of intermolecular
force involves the hydrogen element bonded to an atom with high
electronegativity such as Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Fluorine. Note that the
Hydrogen bonding is a special type of dipole-dipole intermolecular force and
must contain the element hydrogen. When comparing the strength of
hydrogen bond to the dipole-dipole, the force of hydrogen bonding is much
stronger compared to the dipole-dipole. Example of the Hydrogen bonding
includes the interacting molecules of water.

Notice that the Oxygen of the water

molecule has partial negative charge
since it has a high electronegativity and is
attracted to partial negative charge
hydrogen of the another water molecule
(denoted by broken lines).

The hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole

forces of attraction exist between
molecules with partial positive and partial
negative poles as a result of one atom
being more electronegative than the other. “Image showing interacting molecules
But, what if both atoms have the same of water.”
electronegativity value?

Another type of intermolecular force which can exist in a molecule with equal
electronegativity is called the London Dispersion. So how does it work?
Remember that electrons (whether in a single atom or a molecule) do not stay
on a fix location. The electrons are constantly revolving around the nucleus
and at a given time, the electrons may be unevenly distributed causing an
instantaneous dipole which influences the neighboring atoms or molecules.

Study the diagram of a diatomic Hydrogen gas (H2) as an example. The heavy
dots represent the nuclei of the diatomic hydrogen while the grey area
represents the area where the electrons can be found.

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Notice the molecule of hydrogen gas.
Since the molecule has only one type
of atom (illustrated as heavy dots),
neither of it is electronegative than
the other and so the electrons are
evenly distributed within the “Two molecules of diatomic hydrogen.
molecule (marked by the gray area).

As the electrons are revolving

around, there are moments that the
distribution of these electrons are
unequal causing an instantaneous “one molecule undergoes instantaneous dipole”
dipole.

The Instantaneous dipole causes

attraction or repulsion of the
neighboring molecule.

“The instantaneous dipole causes an induced dipole to

another molecule.”
The opposing charges from the
dipole of the two molecules cause it
to attract and thus creating the
London Dispersion Forces of
attraction (denoted by the broken
lines). “Instantaneous opposing poles attract one another”

It is important to note that since the dipole created by the molecule in the
London Dispersion Forces is instantaneous, the dipole is short lived and
temporary thus making this type of intermolecular force of attraction as the
weakest among all the other type of forces.

If there is a weakest type of intermolecular force of attraction, of course we

also have the strongest among the other three. The strongest and the last
intermolecular force of attraction that we are going to discuss is called Ion-
Dipole Force of Attraction. This type of attraction happens when an ion (atom
or molecule with either positive charge or negative charge due to imbalance
of electrons) is attracted to a polar dipole molecule.

Study the image below as an example. The molecule below shows an Ion-
dipole force as the ion is attracted to the opposing charge from the dipole
molecule.

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 “The figure (left) shows a positively-charged Sodium Ion (Cation) attracted to the
partial negative charge of a dipole water molecule”. Another example (right figure)
of Ion-Dipole interaction showing a negatively-charged Chlorine ion (Anion)
attracted to the positive charge of a dipole water molecule.”
So why do we need to learn these intermolecular forces of attraction? It is
because our knowledge can help us know the physical property of certain
substances. For example, the boiling point and melting point of substances
are directly related to these type of intermolecular forces of attraction. The
stronger the type of force of attraction that exists between the molecules, the
higher the boiling point of the substance will be. The weaker the forces of
attraction that exist between the molecules, the lower their melting point will
be.
Although Anna set several conditions for her experiment, the result produced
a different rate of boiling point because of the different intermolecular forces
of attraction that exist in her samples of substances and not because of the
weather nor curse of the poor teddy bear!

Let Us Practice

Match the descriptions labeled A to H to its correct type of intermolecular

force. Write one letter in each box numbered 1 to 4 Do this on a separate
sheet of paper.

Description:
It is a special type of Dipole-Dipole where the molecules
A contain hydrogen bonded to a highly electronegative atom
such as oxygen and nitrogen.
It is short-lived since it is instantaneous in nature. Among
B the four types of intermolecular force, it is considered as the
weakest.
The Intermolecular Force that exists in polar molecules. The
C opposing charges of the molecule are attracted to one another
like an opposing poles of a magnet.

The strongest among the four types of Intermolecular force of

D attraction. It contains polar molecules bonded to an ion.

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 It involves a polar dipole molecule attracted to a cation
E (positively charged ion) or anion (negatively charged ion).

It is a weak type of intermolecular force of attraction that

F exists in non-polar molecules.

A type of intermolecular force that exists in polar molecules.

G The partial negative pole is due to electrons attracted to the
atom with higher electronegativity.

Examples of this type of Intermolecular force of attraction are

H hydrochloric acid (HCl), Ammonia (NH3), and Water (H20).

You can copy the template below and write the letter of the description that
correctly describes the type of intermolecular force inside the box.

1. Dipole – Dipole 2.London Dispersion 3. Hydrogen Bonding 4.Ion-Dipole

Let Us Practice More

The friends of Anna were inspired by her science experiments, so they

also performed their own experiment. Let us examine the observation of the
friends of Anna with regards to substances that exhibit a type of
Intermolecular force of attraction. Choose the letter that best supports the
statement for each item. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Item number 1
“I determined which has a higher boiling point between pure water
and a salt-water solution. I found out that although they have the
same volume, the salt-water solution has a higher boiling point. What
could be the reason for this?”

a. Water is a non-polar molecule which is weaker compared to the polar

molecule which is the salt-water solution.

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 b. The London Dispersion due to instantaneous dipole of water gives it
a lower boiling point compared to the Ion-dipole of the Salt-water
solution.
c. Water exhibits weaker attraction (hydrogen bonding) compared to the
Ion-dipole of the Salt-water solution resulting to lower boiling point.

Item number 2
“I experimented on determining the boiling point of two different
gases. The first one is the hydrogen gas (H2) and the other is the
Ammonia gas (NH3). The result showed that the hydrogen gas has a
lower boiling point compared to the ammonia gas. What could be the
reason behind this result?”

a. The ammonia has a higher boiling point due to the molecules

exhibiting hydrogen bonding (due to presence of Nitrogen and
Hydrogen) while the hydrogen gas has a lower boiling point due to
London Dispersion.
b. Ammonia is an example of a London dispersion since the molecule is
non-polar in nature. Moreover, the intermolecular force of ammonia is
instantaneous in nature so it should have a lower boiling point.
c. Ammonia contains ion and a non-polar molecule making the bond
stronger compared to the dipole-dipole of the Hydrogen gas.

Item number 3
“I was able to determine the boiling point of two substances that have
the same state. Using several tests, I was able to determine their
chemical content. Substance A contains interacting polar molecules
with ions while substance B contains entirely the same type of atom. I
don’t know why Substance A has higher boiling point.

a. Substance B exhibits ion-dipole IFA which is a weaker force of

attraction compared to the hydrogen bonding exhibited by substance
A.
b. Substance B exhibits London dispersion which is a weaker force
compared to the Ion-dipole exhibited by substance A.
c. Substance B exhibits hydrogen bonding which is stronger compared
to the ion-dipole exhibited by substance A.

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Item number 4
“I did not perform the experiment myself but I have read on a book
that the boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius while Iodine
monochloride has a boiling point of 97 degrees Celsius. Why is it that
water has higher boiling point even though both are in liquid state?”

a. Water exhibits a dipole-dipole IFA which is stronger compared to

the attraction of instantaneous poles of London dispersion exhibited
by Iodine monochloride.
b. Iodine monochloride is an example of a non-polar molecule that
exhibits London dispersion that has stronger IFA compared to the
Ion-dipole exhibited by water molecules
c. Water is a special type of dipole-dipole force of attraction which
exhibits higher intermolecular force of attraction compared to the
regular dipole-dipole exhibited by Iodine monochloride.

Item number 5
“I am not convinced that the phase of matter of the substances has
something to do with the boiling point. However, I could not explain
why salt-water solution has a higher boiling point compared to the
chlorine gas. By the way, this is my first time learning science.”

a. Chlorine gas contains ion and a non-polar molecule making the bond
stronger compared to the dipole-dipole of the water molecule.
b. Chlorine gas exhibits a London dispersion since it is a non-polar
molecule and has lower boiling point compared to water exhibiting
hydrogen bonding.
c. Water molecule exhibits ion-dipole due to presence of polar molecules
and ions making it stronger compared to the chlorine gas.

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 Let Us Remember

We learned these important key points:

a. The Intermolecular Forces of attraction or IFA include the Dipole-

Dipole, Hydrogen Bonding, Ion-Dipole, and London Dispersion.

b. Dipole-Dipole exists in polar covalent molecules. The opposing poles

of these molecules attract one another.
c. Hydrogen bonding exists in molecules containing hydrogen atom
bonded to a high electronegative element including Nitrogen,
Oxygen, and Fluorine.
d. Ion-Dipole is a type of IFA between molecules with a dipole attracted
to an ion (negatively charged atom or molecule) or cation (positively
charged atom or molecule).
e. London Dispersion occurs in non-polar molecules. The frequent
moving electrons creates instantaneous dipole that attracts the
.
molecules together.

Let Us Assess

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter
on a separate sheet of paper
1. What type of Intermolecular force of attraction exists between molecules that
are non-polar?
A. Ion-Dipole C. London Dispersion
B. Dipole-Dipole D. Hydrogen Bonding

2. What type of Intermolecular Force of attraction exists between molecules with

hydrogen bonded to high electronegative atom such as Oxygen, Nitrogen, and
Fluorine?
A. Hydrogen Bonding C. Dipole-Dipole
B. London Dispersion D. Ion-Dipole

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3. Which of the following examples below is exhibits dipole-dipole intermolecular
force of attraction?
A. The partial positive pole of iodine monochloride is attracted to the partial
negative pole of another iodine monochloride molecule.
B. Two molecules containing Hydrogen and Nitrogen attracted to one
another.
C. A molecule of water containing Chlorine ion attracted to another
molecule but with opposing charge.
D. Two Diatomic hydrogen gas attracted to one another with an
instantaneous force of attraction.

4. Which of the following exhibits a Hydrogen Bonding as a type of

Intermolecular force of attraction?
A. A diatomic chlorine gas (Cl2) attracted to the same molecule.
B. Two molecules of ammonia (NH3) attracted to one another with opposing
charges in its pole..
C. A water molecule containing a cation attracted to the opposing pole of
the same water molecule containing cation.
D. The partial positive pole of iodine monochloride is attracted to the
partial negative pole of another iodine monochloride molecule.

5. Which of the following exhibits a London Dispersion intermolecular force of

attraction?
A. The partial positive pole of iodine monochloride is attracted to the partial
negative pole of another iodine monochloride molecule.
B. Two molecules containing Hydrogen and Nitrogen attracted to one
another.
C. A molecule of water containing Chlorine ion attracted to another
molecule but with opposing charge.
D. Two Diatomic hydrogen gas attracted to one another with an
instantaneous force of attraction.

5. Which of the following statements below is true with regards to London-

dispersion force of attraction?
A. It is a result of attraction between two polar molecules.
B. It is short-lived as a result of instantaneous dipole of non-polar
molecules.
C. It is the attraction between molecules containing a polar molecule
bonded to an ion.
D. It is a special type of dipole-dipole interaction between molecules
containing hydrogen bonded to a highly electronegative atom.

6. Which of the following statements below is true with regards to London-

dispersion force of attraction?
A. It is a result of attraction between two polar molecules.
B. It is short-lived as a result of instantaneous dipole of non-polar
molecules.
C. It is the attraction between molecules containing a polar molecule
bonded to an ion.
D. It is a special type of dipole-dipole interaction between molecules
containing hydrogen bonded to a highly electronegative atom.

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7. Which of the following exhibits an ion-dipole intermolecular force of
attraction?
A. A diatomic chlorine gas (Cl2) attracted to the same molecule.
B. Two molecules of ammonia (NH3) attracted to one another with opposing
charges in its pole.
C. A molecule of water attracted to a cation with their opposing charges.
D. The partial positive pole of iodine monochloride is attracted to the
partial negative pole of another iodine monochloride molecule.

8. Which of the following is true with regards to dipole-dipole intermolecular

force of attraction?
A. It is an attraction between polar molecules bonded to an ion
B. It is a result of attraction between two polar molecules with their
opposing partial charges.
C. It is the result of the attraction between the molecules whose atoms have
equal electronegativity value.
D. It is a special type of dipole-dipole interaction between molecules
containing hydrogen bonded to a highly electronegative atom.

9. Which of the following is true with regards to Ion-dipole force of

attraction?
A. It is short-lived as a result of instantaneous dipole of non-polar
molecules.

B. It is the attraction between molecules containing a polar molecule

bonded to an ion.
C. It is a result of attraction between two polar molecules with their
opposing partial charges.
D. It is a special type of dipole-dipole interaction between molecules
containing hydrogen bonded to a highly electronegative atom

10. Which of the following statements below is true with regards to hydrogen
bonding as a force of attraction?
A. It is a result of attraction between two polar molecules.
B. It is short-lived as a result of instantaneous dipole of non-polar
molecules.
C. It is the attraction between molecules containing a polar molecule
bonded to an ion.
D. It is a special type of dipole-dipole interaction between molecules
containing hydrogen bonded to a highly electronegative atom.

11. Which of the following molecules below exhibits a London-dispersion force of

attraction?
A. Molecules of diatomic Hydrogen gas bonded to one another.
B. The interacting molecules of Water containing sodium ion.
C. Ammonia (NH3) interacting to a molecule of Water (H20)
D. Interacting molecules of Iodine monochloride.

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12. Which of the following intermolecular forces of attraction below is considered
as the strongest?
A. Ion-Dipole C. London Dispersion
B. Dipole-Dipole D. Hydrogen Bonding

13. Which of the following intermolecular forces of attraction below is considered

as the weakest?
A. Ion-Dipole C. London Dispersion
B. Dipole-Dipole D. Hydrogen Bonding

14. Which of the following statements below is TRUE with regards to London
Dispersion as Intermolecular Force of Attraction?
A. It occurs in polar molecules.
B. It includes a dipole attracted to an ion.
C. It is the weakest type Intermolecular Force.
D. Electrons only stay at one area of the atom

15. Which of the following statements below is TRUE with regards to Hydrogen
Bonding as Intermolecular Force of Attraction?
A. Contains hydrogen bonded to an electronegative element
B. Electrons are equally shared in the molecule.
C. It is the weakest type Intermolecular Force.
D. It only occurs in non-polar molecules.

Let Us Enhance
Below is a concept diagram of the lesson that we had just discussed. On a
separate sheet of paper, copy the template below and write the missing
information to complete the diagram.

Intermolecular Force of Attraction

TYPE Dipole-Dipole

Special type of Instantaneous Force of

dipole containing type of dipole attraction that
DESCRIPTION
hydrogen atom that exists in exists between
attracted to high non-polar polar covalent
electronegative molecules. molecules
element such as bonded to a cat
oxygen, chlorine, ion or anion.
and fluorine.

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 EXAMPLE Iodine Salt
monochloride dissociating to
water.

Let Us Reflect

The concepts of Intermolecular forces of attraction are important in

determining boiling point of a substance such as how you need to increase
the heat of water in a pot upon adding salt (such as when cooking).

In not more than five sentences, what do you think are the other importance
of studying the Intermolecular Forces of Attraction? How can we apply these
concepts we have just discussed? Be sure to be guided with the criteria below
for your answer. Write them on a separate sheet of paper.

________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Criteria 3 2 1 0

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 15
*Rubric adapted from a module of Department of Education
Answer Key
 References

Chem.libretexts.or g, “Intermolecular Forces: Dispersion, Dipole–

Dipole, Hydrogen Bonding, and Ion-Dipole”, (2019),
https://chem.libretexts.org/Courses/can/intro/12%3A
_Liquids%2C_Solids%2C_and_Intermolecular_Forces/12.6%3A
_Intermolecular_Forces%3A_Dispersion%2C_Dipole%E2%80%9
3Dipole%2C_Hydrogen_Bonding%2C_and_Ion-Dipole

Chempurdue.edu, “Ion-Dipole Forces”, accessed June 25, 2020,

https://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/liquids/iondip.html#:~:
text=An%20ion%2Ddipole%20force%20is,ionic%20compounds
%20in%20polar%20liquids.

Courses.lumenlearning.com, “Van der Waals Forces”, accessed June

25, 2020,
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/cheminter/chapter/van-
der-waals-forces/.

National Center for Biotechnology Information, Iodine monochloride,

CID=24640, PubChem Database, accessed on June 30, 2020,
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Iodine-
monochloride

Opentextbc.ca, “10.1 Intermolecular Forces”, accessed June 25, 2020,

https://opentextbc.ca/chemistry/chapter/10-1-
intermolecular-forces/

Siyavula.com, “Intermolecular and Interatomic Forces”, accessed June

25, 2020, https://www.siyavula.com/read/science/grade-
11/intermolecular-forces/04-intermolecular-forces-01

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For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:

Department of Education – Davao City Division

E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City

Telephone: (082) 227 4762

Email Address: lrms.davaocity@deped.gov.ph