BASIC EDUCATION DIVISION

Senior High South School

ABM 12
Intermolecular Forces of Attraction
3.1 Developed by: Yvette M. Villarta

Content Standards: The learners demonstrate an understanding that the use of different materials is related to
their properties and structures.
Performance Standards: The learner is able to explain how the uses of different components or materials of
their proposed product are related to their properties and structures.
Learning Competencies: The learner is able to:

a. describe the general types of intermolecular forces (S11/12PS-IIIc-d-17);

b. give the type of intermolecular forces in the properties of substances (S11/12PS-IIId-e-18);
and
c. explain the effect of intermolecular forces on the properties of substances (S11/12PS-IIId-
e-19).

Specific Learning Outcomes:

In this module, you will spend 3 hours to:

1. describe and differentiate the different types of intermolecular forces; and

2. explain the effects of the intermolecular forces on the physical properties of matter.

INTRODUCTION:

A water forms beads rather than spread out on a leaf surface. This formation is due to the molecules of water
being more attracted to each other rather than to the molecules comprising the leaf. Water often forms beads that
contain 1 x 1023 or more molecules clinging to each other.
Such properties of matter, along with density, hardness, solubility, physical state, and among others are referred
to physical properties of matter. These are attributed to the forces of attraction that exist between the molecules that
comprise matter. These forces are termed intermolecular forces of attraction (IMFA).
The strength of a substance’s intermolecular attractive force determines many of its physical properties,
including its melting and boiling points. Compared to the chemical bonds that hold ions in ionic compounds or atoms
in a molecular compound, intermolecular forces are weaker.

Forces of attraction between molecules are responsible for the

existence of the different states of matter.

How do intermolecular forces of attraction define the properties and uses of matter?

Revisiting prior knowledge: Substances have different properties that

depends on their chemical structure. What renders the properties of substances?
Explain the following statements:

1. Most ionic compounds exist as solid, hard but brittle.

2. The solubility of covalent compounds depends on the overall
polarity of the molecule.
3. Metals are considered better conductors of electricity compared to
molten ionic compounds.

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 Discussion Proper:

Intermolecular forces of attractions are those acting in between different molecules. There are several
types of IMFA and arise from attractions between partial positive and partial negative electrical charges. These
are attraction are collectively referred to as van der Waal forces, named after Dutch physicist Johannes Diederik
can der Waals.

The following are the types of IMFA arranged from strongest to weakest:

1. Ion-ion interaction exists between ions and is based on Columb’s law where the forces of attraction between
two oppositely charged ions is directly proportional to the magnitude of the charges of the ions but
inversely proportional to the distance between the two ions.
2. Ion-dipole interaction exists between ions and a polar compound. The interaction becomes stringer as either
the charge on the ion increases or as the polarity of the molecule increases.
3. Hydrogen bonding or H-bonding exists between polar molecules containing a hydrogen atom bonded to any of
the most highly electronegative atoms – fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen.
4. Dipole-dipole interaction occurs between polar covalent molecules due to the attraction of the partial atoms of
one molecule to the partial negative atoms of the other molecule.
5. Dipole-induced dipole interaction occurs between polar covalent and nonpolar covalent molecules. A temporary
dipole is created due to nearby permanent dipole.
6. Dispersion forces occur among nonpolar substances and noble gases. These forces are caused by fluctuations
in the electron distribution within molecules or atoms; consequently, these forces are present in all
molecules and atoms. This is often called London forces, after the German-born physicist Fritz London
(1900-1954) who postulated their existence in 1930.

Examples Given the Lewis structure, molecular geometry, and molecular polarity, identify the IMFA.

Molecules Lewis structure Molecular Molecular IMFA

geometry polarity

H2O + H2O Bent polar Hydrogen

bonding

CO2 + CO2 Linear nonpolar Dispersion

force

Strength of IMFA and Physical Properties of Matter

Physical properties of substances especially for the condensed states (liquid

How do IMFAs explain and solid) vary significantly depending on the nature and strength of the attractive
the physical properties of forces among atoms, molecules or ions. The following physical properties arise
substances? from intermolecular forces of attraction:

1. The boiling point of a liquid id the temperature at which its vapor pressure equals
the atmospheric pressure.
2. The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which its solid and liquid
phases coexist in equilibrium.
3. Viscosity is the resistance to flow of a liquid; whereas surface tension is the energy
required to increase the surface area by a unit amount.
4. The vapor pressure of a substance is the pressure exerted by its vapor state; and
reflects the escaping tendency that indicates a liquid’s evaporation rate.
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Boiling point, melting point, viscosity, and surface tension increase with increasing strength of intermolecular
forces. On the other hand, vapor pressure increases with decreasing strength of intermolecular forces.

If all the variables are constant, the dispersion forces increase with increasing molar mass. For example, I2
(MW=253.81 g/mol) has a higher boiling point than Cl 2 (MW=70.90 g/mol) since the dispersion forces acting in
between I2 molecules is larger than in Cl2. However, substances that form hydrogen bonds have much higher boiling
point, melting point, viscosity, and surface tension than one would predict based on molar mass. Methanol (CH 3OH)
has a boiling point of 64.7 °C while the boiling point of methanethiol (CH3SH) is 5.95 °C.

Application of IMFA

Physical properties, partly influenced by the intermolecular forces of attraction, are important considerations
when designing different materials or equipment for various uses. These properties should match the product’s intended
environment and should not interfere with its function. Among these products are medical devices, construction
materials, sports equipment, and electrical devices.

Medical implants and prosthetics are designed to aid a person by acting as a substitute to a missing part, support an
injured structure, or improve an existing part of the body. Artificial pacemaker, cochlear grafts, dental implants, and
breast implants are some examples of prosthetics or prostheses. Materials used in making implants and prostheses
should be inert to avoid adverse reactions in the body like infection, trigger allergic reactions, or fail to do their function.
Most importantly, implants for support must have a strong IMFA to be durable. The basis of material selection in
making objects depends on the strength it confers. Most prosthetics are made up of metals for strong support. Some
have metals admixed to substances.

The type of breast implant depends on the filler material; some have saline solution as the filler, while others
have silicon gel. For saline filled implants, ion-dipole IMFAs exist. A saline consists of salt, which in turn is made up of
cations and anions dissolved in water. For silicon gel-based implants, dipole-induced dipole IMFAs are present; this is
because silicon is a semi-metal.

In construction, the correct combination of materials provides the strength and stability of a structure. Physical
properties help architects and builders decide which materials will best suit the purpose of the final structure. The
building frameworks are made of pure metals or metal alloys to provide a strong foundation. Metals generally have a
high tensile strength and a very high melting point because of the strong metallic bonding between its atoms. Alloys
such as bronze, brass, and steel are normally used in construction. Another material used in construction is the concrete,
which is hardened mixture of rocks, gravel, cement, and water. The strength of the cement paste (cement and water)
results from the van der Waals force between cement particles. Hardened cement paste is easy to apply and smoothen,
but it can also easily crack when excessive water is added in the mixture. Adding rocks and gravel, collectively called
aggregates, provides additional weight and strength to the concrete. The cement paste coats and holds the aggregates in
the concrete.

The electronic devices and household gadgets, dipole-induced dipole exists since components of such devices
include polar substances like transient voltage suppression diodes and metalloids or semi-metals capable of having
induced-dipole. The material characteristics are important in designing electronic devices and household gadgets. Many
of the latest devices are created from solid-state materials, in which electrons flow through solid semiconductor crystals.
The synthesis of solid-state materials requires knowledge of the physical properties, particularly conductivity, of the
starting materials. In addition, lightness and durability are sought-after features of gadgets. Electronic devices require
electrically conductive parts to allow electricity flow but they may also require outer coverings that allow easy release of
heat to reduce overheating of the device.

Sports equipment are materials used for exercise or sports activities. Aside from structural design, it is equally
important to choose the correct materials to use for each part of the equipment to achieve its optimum performance.
The design gives provisions for unwanted dissolutions, melting, or breakage of any part of the equipment when used.
In a tennis racket, the carbon fiber composites, whose durability results from its webbed fibers, providing additional
strength and structural stability. For gym equipment, which require high strength, pure metals or alloys (metals mixed with
another metal or a nonmetal to reinforce its strength) are specifically used.

Mini-task # 3. 3-folded brochure making

on the effects of IMF and its application
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REFERENCES:

Contemporary Physics Education Project (CPEP). (2003 November). Chapter 10: Origin of the elements. Retrieved
September 16, 2015 from http://www2.lbl.gov/abc/wallchart/ teachersguide/pdf/Chap10.pdf

Santiago, K., Silverio, A, and Ramos, J. D. (2016). Exploring life through science: Physical Science. Phoenix Publishing
House, Inc., Quezon City. ISBN 978-971-06-3891-8.

Punzalan, J. & Monserrat, R. (2016). Science in Today’s World for Senior High School: Physical Science. SIBS Publishing
House, Inc., Quezon City