Intermolecular Forces Essay

2155 Words9 Pages
Elements form to make compounds to do this elements react with one another to make their outer electron shells full, having a fuller outer shell makes the atom more stable. Elements gain or lose electrons, when forming compounds, so that they achieve a full outer shell, these forces binding atoms in molecule are due to chemical bonding. Intermolecular force is the term given to the attraction between a molecule and its neighbouring molecule. These forces of attraction are what keep a molecule together. The term is given to all kinds of attraction whether it is attractive or repulsive between molecules or atoms. There physical properties of solids, liquids and gases depend on their particles. A solid has close particles, giving it a high density and makes in incompressible. This means that particles cannot move freely and can only vibrate. A liquid has a similar density to a solid but is virtually incompressible, particles are allowed move freely and in a random order allowing liquid to flow. In a gas particles are much further apart and have more energy. Gases have low density and are very compressible, they are not very attracted to one another and move freely. If put in a container gases will quickly diffuse. What causes intramolecular force? Intramolecular forces create solids and liquids. This type of force is caused by charged particles inside the atoms that make molecules, as the particles attract and repulse .As two molecules approach each other the negative charged electrons in one molecule are attracted to the positive charge nuclei in the neighbouring molecule. As this attraction takes place the electron is also repelled by the other electrons in the other molecule. This attraction and repellent of can cause temporary distortion of the electron cloud of a molecule so that a weak overall attraction exists between two molecules. This is known as
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