Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular ForcesThese forces are observed due to the chemical interaction between the atoms and they happen on a microscopic level. For example, hydrogen peroxide is a yellowish liquid that is inorganic and is found naturally in the atmosphere. It is composed of one proton, one electron and one neutron.The hydrogen peroxide molecule has two hydrogen atoms bonded to it and the electrons are held by the oxygen atoms on the two sides of the molecule. Due to the fact that the molecular bonds hold together, this means that the molecules are very fragile, so even little variation in temperature and pressure can cause them to separate. If you were to apply pressure to one side, the hydrogen peroxide would separate. Now, what about if you apply pressure to both sides?When the hydrogen peroxide molecules are made stable, they will hold the electrons in their place and they would come back together when the pressure is reduced. In this way, the hydrogen peroxide molecules have the ability to form stable bonds. This ability to form bonds with other molecules is actually what makes them so powerful. So, if we understand these processes, we can understand the intermolecular forces.There are many different ways that these intermolecular forces come into play. Most of the time, these forces occur in the solid material but there are times where they can occur in the liquid, like water. In the liquid, there are three ways these forces can occur: electrostatic attraction, liquid deprotonation and electrokinetic forces.Electrostatic Attraction: Electrostatic attraction occurs when the molecules of a liquid or solid state are positively charged and the atoms of the other molecules are negatively charged. When these two particles combine they make a short circuit and this causes the neighboring atoms to get electrically attracted to them. The liquid will start to move along the circuit. Now, there is a limit to how fast a liquid can move through a circuit. The liquid will stop if the length of the wire does not permit it to move any faster.Liquid Deprotonation: Also known as the reversible or the saturation, the process of the liquid deprotonation can occur under normal circumstances. The liquid deprotonates as a result of the change in the orientation of the molecules. As the liquid deprotonates, the remaining molecules of the liquid or solid state will tend to move to their normal positions. Now, what happens if the molecules will move faster than the atoms in the liquid or solid state can be maintained?There will be a point at which the liquid will get 'saturated' and will then begin to move, but as the liquid's center, the solute's center will be disrupted. The solute or the liquid will become displaced from its location and the atoms of the other molecules will get attracted to it. The fact that there are many different types of liquid deprotonation means that there are many different ways for them to occur.In summary, we can see that these intermol ecular forces are very important to us and our lives. The following links give some examples of their behavior. The intermolecular forces are part of a mechanism that can make atoms stick together and form chains.