Question

(dispersion forces)

Electrons move randomly.
At some instant they may be closer to one
end of the molecule, resulting in a temporary
dipole.
-This induces a temporary dipole in
neighboring molecules.
-These two dipoles are oriented to __
each other.

Answer 1

Dispersion forces are weak intermolecular attractions caused by temporary dipoles in atoms or nonpolar molecules, stronger in larger and heavier atoms, affecting states of substances like halogens.

Step-by-step explanation:

Dispersion forces, also known as London dispersion forces, are weak intermolecular forces that arise from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution within atoms or nonpolar molecules. These fluctuations create temporary dipoles, inducing a complementary dipole in adjacent molecules, which results in a weak attraction. Larger and heavier atoms and molecules have more electrons and therefore exhibit stronger dispersion forces than smaller and lighter ones.

This is evident in the physical state of halogens at room temperature: F2 and Cl2 are gases, Br2 is a liquid, and I2 is a solid. Dispersion forces can be significant when other intermolecular forces are minimal, such as in nonpolar compounds like fibroin, the major protein in silk. When these forces act between larger atoms or molecules, like in the case of the halogens, they can affect the melting and boiling points of substances, thereby influencing their state at room temperature.