Final answer:
Dispersion forces relate to the state of matter by determining the strength of the intermolecular interactions, which, alongside kinetic energy, dictate whether a substance is a solid, liquid, or gas. Larger molecules with more electrons have stronger dispersion forces, making them more likely to be in a solid or liquid state at room temperature.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dispersion force relates to the state of matter of a chemical through its influence on the balance of intermolecular interactions. Attraction between molecules due to dispersion forces becomes significant when the molecules are very close to each other, and these forces are especially important for nonpolar substances which do not have permanent dipoles. Larger and heavier atoms and molecules exhibit stronger dispersion forces than do smaller and lighter atoms and molecules, thus affecting their physical state. For instance, at room temperature, F2 and Cl2 are gases, reflecting weaker attractive forces, whereas Br2 is a liquid, and I2 is a solid, reflecting stronger attractive forces.
The kinetic energy of particles, a function of temperature, tends to keep particles moving and apart. In contrast, intermolecular forces, including dispersion forces, tend to draw particles together. As temperature increases, kinetic energy can overcome the intermolecular forces, allowing particles to move freely and transition into different states: solid to liquid or liquid to gas.