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What kind of intermolecular forces act between a hydrogen molecule and a chlorine molecule?

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Final answer:

The intermolecular forces between a hydrogen molecule and a chlorine molecule are London dispersion forces, resulting from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution within these nonpolar molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question concerns the type of intermolecular forces acting between a hydrogen (H₂) molecule and a chlorine (Cl₂) molecule. Both H₂ and Cl₂ are nonpolar molecules because they consist of two identical atoms, which share electrons evenly. As a result, the predominant intermolecular force between them is the London dispersion force. London dispersion forces arise due to the temporary formation of instantaneous dipole moments, which result from short-lived fluctuations in the electron charge distribution within nonpolar molecules. The strength of these forces increases with the size of the atoms and the number of electrons.

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