Question

What type of van der Waals interaction occurs between molecules of O2, SCI2, and CH4 in liquids of these substances?

a) Dipole-dipole interactions
b) London dispersion forces
c) Hydrogen bonding
d) Ionic bonding

Answer 1

Molecules of O2 and CH4 exhibit London dispersion forces due to their nonpolarity, while SCI2 exhibits both dipole-dipole interactions and London dispersion forces, with dipole-dipole being stronger.

Step-by-step explanation:

The type of van der Waals interaction occurring between molecules of O2, SCI2, and CH4 in liquids of these substances can be determined based on the polarity and presence of hydrogen bonding in those molecules:

• O2 is a nonpolar molecule and thus exhibits London dispersion forces.
• SCI2 is a polar molecule but does not have hydrogen directly bonded to a highly electronegative atom, so it exhibits dipole-dipole interactions in addition to London dispersion forces.
• CH4 is nonpolar and exhibits London dispersion forces as well.

As such, the interactions for each substance are:

• O2 - London dispersion forces (answer d)
• SCI2 - Dipole-dipole interactions and London dispersion forces, with dipole-dipole being the predominant (answer e)
• CH4 - London dispersion forces (answer f)