VAN DER WAALS Meaning and
Definition
-
Van der Waals refers to the intermolecular forces that exist between molecules. These forces, named after the Dutch scientist Johannes Diderik van der Waals, are responsible for attracting molecules to each other, and their occurrence arises from fluctuations in electron distributions within atoms or molecules.
Van der Waals forces comprise three main types: London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding. London dispersion forces are the weakest type of van der Waals forces and result from temporary changes in electron density. These forces occur between all molecules, regardless of whether they are polar or nonpolar. Dipole-dipole interactions arise when molecules possess permanent dipoles, meaning they have regions of partial positive and negative charges. These forces are stronger than London dispersion forces and can occur between polar molecules. Hydrogen bonding is a specific type of dipole-dipole interaction that occurs when a hydrogen atom is bonded to an electronegative element (such as nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine) and is attracted to another electronegative atom nearby. Hydrogen bonding is the strongest type of van der Waals force.
Overall, van der Waals forces play a significant role in determining the physical properties of substances, including boiling points, melting points, and phase transitions. They also contribute to the cohesion of liquids and the interactions between molecules in the solid and liquid states.
Common Misspellings for VAN DER WAALS
- can der waals
- ban der waals
- gan der waals
- fan der waals
- vzn der waals
- vsn der waals
- vwn der waals
- vqn der waals
- vab der waals
- vam der waals
- vaj der waals
- vah der waals
- van ser waals
- van xer waals
- van cer waals
- van fer waals
- van rer waals
- van eer waals
- van dwr waals
- van dsr waals
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
