Sticky Molecules

Attractions between neighbours

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Intermolecular forces are much weaker than bonds, but set boiling and melting points.
• Dispersion (all molecules) < dipole–dipole (polar) < hydrogen bonds (H on N, O, F).

Steps

1. Between, not within
2. What breaks when water boils?
3. A sign of strength
4. Same formula, different boiling points
5. Rank the forces
6. How much weaker?