What are the different types of intermolecular forces?

There are three types of intermolecular forces; 1. Van der Waal forces 2. Dipole-dipole forces 3. Hydrogen bonding Van der waals are the weakest and hydrogen bonding is the strongest. Van der Waal forces exist between all molecules in the universe. They are a weak electrostatic force and they are caused by the movement of charge within a molecule. Remember that electrons are negativly charged and always moving because they are going around the nucleus. Van der Waal forces are the electrostatic forces between the temporary charges of a molecule. Dipole-dipole intermolecular forces are electrostatic forces between two permenantly polar molecules. Hydrogen bonding is the stongest type of intermolecular force and it is the electrostatic bond between a Hydrogen on one molecule and on Oxygen (or Nitrogen) on another molecule.

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Answered by Iona M. Chemistry tutor

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