Question

Which of the following molecules would experience the weakest London Dispersion Forces (not necessarily the weakest overall Intermolecular Forces - IMFs)?

a) HCl
b) HF
c) HBr
d) HI

Answer 1

HF would experience the weakest London Dispersion Forces due to its strong hydrogen bonding, which is the more dominant intermolecular force in this small and less polarizable molecule.

Step-by-step explanation:

The molecule that would experience the weakest London Dispersion Forces among HCl, HF, HBr, and HI is HF. While London Dispersion Forces are present in all molecules, they are typically weakest in small and less polarizable molecules. HF, being a small molecule with strong hydrogen bonding, relies less on dispersion forces due to its significant hydrogen bonding capability which is a much stronger intermolecular force. Hydrogen bonding greatly exceeds the strength of London Dispersion Forces in HF compared to the other halogen hydrides listed.