Chemistry q2 - Intermolecular forces

Van der Waals Forces

Van der Waals forces is a collective name for three types of intermolecular forces: London dispersion, dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding. Van der Waals forces are named after the Dutch chemist Johannes van der Waals. Let's learn more about each of the individual interactions that constitute van der Waals forces. London Dispersion London dispersion forces, named in honor of German physicist Fritz London, occur between nonpolar molecules and are caused by the motion of electrons. Although electrons in a nonpolar molecule are evenly distributed, at a given point in time, a majority of the electrons can move to one side of the molecule or another. The movement of electrons creates a partial charge for a brief period of time. This brief, partial charge on the molecule is called an instantaneous dipole.