Difference between revisions of "London dispersion force"
(New 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 ...) |
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| − | 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 '''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. |
Revision as of 20:32, December 9, 2008
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.