Which intermolecular force arises from temporary dipoles in nonpolar molecules?

Which intermolecular force arises from temporary dipoles in nonpolar molecules?

• A. London dispersion
• B. Dipole-dipole
• C. Hydrogen bonding
• D. Ionic

Answer: (A)

Temporary fluctuations in the electron distribution of nonpolar molecules create an instantaneous dipole. This momentary dipole can induce a dipole in a neighboring molecule, and the two induced dipoles attract each other. This weak attraction is known as London dispersion forces. They are the dominant intermolecular force in nonpolar substances and become stronger with greater molecular size and polarizability. By contrast, dipole-dipole interactions require permanent dipoles from polar bonds, hydrogen bonding is a stronger form of dipole-dipole interaction involving hydrogen attached to N, O, or F, and ionic forces come from attractions between fully charged ions. So the force arising from temporary dipoles in nonpolar molecules is London dispersion forces.

Temporary fluctuations in the electron distribution of nonpolar molecules create an instantaneous dipole. This momentary dipole can induce a dipole in a neighboring molecule, and the two induced dipoles attract each other. This weak attraction is known as London dispersion forces. They are the dominant intermolecular force in nonpolar substances and become stronger with greater molecular size and polarizability. By contrast, dipole-dipole interactions require permanent dipoles from polar bonds, hydrogen bonding is a stronger form of dipole-dipole interaction involving hydrogen attached to N, O, or F, and ionic forces come from attractions between fully charged ions. So the force arising from temporary dipoles in nonpolar molecules is London dispersion forces.