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London dispersion force (view source)
Revision as of 20:30, December 9, 2008
, 20:30, December 9, 2008New page: The '''London dispersion force''' is a type of intermolecular force named for the physicist Fritz London. It occurs between molecules that do not have permanent dipoles (ie. do not have a ...
The '''London dispersion force''' is a type of intermolecular force named for the physicist Fritz London. It occurs between molecules that do not have permanent dipoles (ie. do not have a permanently positive and a permanently negative end), and is also known as induced dipole-dipole forces.
The electrons about a molecule of Bromine, Br-Br, are, in theory, evenly distributed. However, in practice, they are randomly scattered, meaning that there is a high probability that they are found more towards one end than the other. This creates a slight charge on both ends, which then causes other nearby molecules to form temporary dipoles as well. This charge creates a weak attraction between the molecules, which means, when the temperature is low enough, they will form liquids. Without the London dispersion forces, such substances would exist only as gas; they would not have liquid or solid forms.
The electrons about a molecule of Bromine, Br-Br, are, in theory, evenly distributed. However, in practice, they are randomly scattered, meaning that there is a high probability that they are found more towards one end than the other. This creates a slight charge on both ends, which then causes other nearby molecules to form temporary dipoles as well. This charge creates a weak attraction between the molecules, which means, when the temperature is low enough, they will form liquids. Without the London dispersion forces, such substances would exist only as gas; they would not have liquid or solid forms.