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Chemistry vocabulary · Chemical Bonding and Structure

Intermolecular forces

Meaning in chemistry, with examples

nounCommon term

In chemistry, intermolecular forces means: Attractions between separate molecules, such as hydrogen bonds, dipole–dipole forces and London dispersion forces. They are much weaker than the bonds inside molecules.

In Turkish: moleküller arası kuvvetler, moleküller arası etkileşimler

How it is used

Used to explain boiling points, solubility and the states of matter. You compare them and say they are strong or weak; teachers often shorten the term to IMFs. 'Intramolecular' means inside one molecule.

Example sentences

  1. Stronger intermolecular forces mean a higher boiling point.

  2. Which intermolecular forces are present in liquid ammonia?

Common collocations

  • strong intermolecular forces
  • dispersion forces
  • dipole–dipole forces
  • overcome intermolecular forces
  • hydrogen bondA fairly strong attraction between a hydrogen atom bonded to N, O or F and a lone pair on a nearby N, O or F atom. It explains why water has such a high boiling point for its size.
  • polarDescribes a bond or molecule in which electrons are shared unevenly, so that one end is slightly negative and the other slightly positive. Water is a typical example.
  • solubilityThe maximum amount of a substance that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a certain temperature, often given in grams per 100 g of water.
  • covalent bondA chemical bond in which two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. It usually forms between nonmetal atoms, as in H₂, H₂O and CH₄.

More terms: Chemical Bonding and Structure

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