Which is the weakest intermolecular force, considered as the Van der Waals force, often found in halogens, noble gases and other non-polar molecules?

Key Points

• London dispersion forces are the weakest intermolecular forces.
• These forces are a type of Van der Waals force and are present in all atoms and molecules, but are most significant in non-polar molecules.
• They arise due to temporary fluctuations in electron density, which create instantaneous dipoles.
• These instantaneous dipoles induce dipoles in neighboring atoms or molecules, leading to an attraction.
• Halogens, noble gases, and other non-polar molecules primarily exhibit London dispersion forces.

Additional Information

• Ion-dipole forces involve an ion and a polar molecule and are generally stronger than London dispersion forces.
• Dipole-dipole forces occur between polar molecules and are also stronger than London dispersion forces.
• Dipole-induced dipole forces involve a polar molecule inducing a dipole in a non-polar molecule, and are weaker than dipole-dipole forces but stronger than London dispersion forces.
• London dispersion forces are significant in determining the physical properties of non-polar substances, such as boiling and melting points.