Final answer:
Intermolecular forces exist between molecules in a substance and include dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding, playing a critical role in determining the physical properties of substances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intermolecular forces are the interactions that exist between molecules in a substance. These forces are electrostatic in nature, arising from the interaction between positively and negatively charged species. The major types of intermolecular forces are dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonding. While the intermolecular forces are usually much weaker than intramolecular forces, which are the covalent bonds within a molecule, they play a critical role in determining the physical properties of a substance and in driving the phase changes from gas to liquid or solid under appropriate conditions.