Final answer:
van der Waals forces are attractive or repulsive forces between molecules, including dipole-dipole, dipole-induced dipole, and London dispersion forces. They are not due to covalent or ionic bonding, or the attraction between ions and molecules.
Step-by-step explanation:
van der Waals forces are attractive or repulsive forces between molecules. These forces include dipole-dipole, dipole-induced dipole, and London dispersion forces. They do not include forces due to covalent or ionic bonding, or the attraction between ions and molecules.
Dipole-dipole attractions occur between polar molecules. The partial negative end of one molecule is attracted to the partial positive end of another molecule. This attraction is electrostatic in nature.
London dispersion forces are present in all condensed phases and are the weakest of the van der Waals forces. They occur due to temporary, instantaneous dipoles caused by the motion of electrons in atoms or molecules. These dipoles can induce a dipole in neighboring atoms or molecules, resulting in a weak electrostatic attraction.