CHAPTER 1

KINETIC MOLECULAR MODEL OF LIQUIDS AND SOLIDS & INTERMOLECULAR

FORCES

CONCEPT MAP

Kinetic Molecular
Model

Explains the properties of

Liquids Solids

Have the particles held by

Intermolecular Forces

 London Dispersion Forces

 Dipole-Dipole Forces
 Ion-Dipole Forces
 Hydrogen Bonding

LEARNING COMPETENCIES
The learners:
1. Use the kinetic molecular model to explain properties of liquids and solids.
2. Describe and differentiate the types of intermolecular forces.

The great distances between atoms and molecules in a gaseous phase, and the
corresponding absence of any significant interactions between them, allows for simple
descriptions of many physical properties that are the same for all gases, regardless of
their chemical identities. The changes at high pressures and low temperatures—
conditions that permit the atoms and molecules to interact to a much greater extent. In the
liquid and solid states, these interactions are of considerable strength and play an
important role in determining a number of physical properties that do depend on the
chemical identity of the substance. In this chapter, the nature of these interactions and
physical properties of liquid and solid phases will be examined.
Kinetic Molecular Theory
The kinetic molecular theory of matter explains how matter can change among the
phases of solid, liquid, and gas.
The kinetic molecular theory of matter states that:
 Matter is made up of particles that are constantly moving.
 All particles have energy, but the energy varies depending on the temperature the
sample of matter is in. This in turn determines whether the substance exists in the
solid, liquid, or gaseous state. Molecules in the solid phase have the least amount
of energy, while gas particles have the greatest amount of energy.
 The temperature of a substance is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the
particles.
 A change in phase may occur when the energy of the particles is changed.
 There are spaces between particles of matter. The average amount of empty
space between molecules gets progressively larger as a sample of matter moves
from the solid to the liquid and gas phases.
 There are attractive forces between atoms/molecules, and these become stronger
as the particles move closer together. These attractive forces are called
intermolecular forces.
Kinetic Molecular Model of Liquids and Solids
Liquids
 The intermolecular attractive forces are strong enough to hold molecules close
together.
 Liquids are denser and less compressible than gasses.
 Liquids have a definite volume, independent of the size and shape of their
container.
 The attractive forces are not strong enough, however, to keep neighboring
molecules in a fixed position and molecules are free to move past or slide over one
another.
Thus, liquids can be poured and assume the shape of their containers.

Solids
 The intermolecular forces between neighboring molecules are strong enough to
keep them locked in position
 Solids (like liquids) are not very compressible due to the lack of space between
molecules
 If the molecules in a solid adopt a highly ordered packing arrangement, the
structures are said to be crystalline
Due to the strong intermolecular forces between neighboring molecules, solids are rigid.
Intermolecular Forces of Attraction
The differences in the properties of a solid, liquid, or gas reflect the strengths of
the attractive forces between the atoms, molecules, or ions that make up each phase. The
phase in which a substance exists depends on the relative extents of its intermolecular
forces (IMFs) and the kinetic energies (KE) of its molecules. IMFs are the various forces
of attraction that may exist between the atoms and molecules of a substance due to
electrostatic phenomena, as will be detailed in this module. These forces serve to hold
particles close together, whereas the particles’ KE provides the energy required to
overcome the attractive forces and thus increase the distance between particles.

Figure 1. Transitions between solid, liquid, and gaseous states of a substance occur when
conditions of temperature or pressure favor the associated changes in intermolecular
forces.

Intramolecular forces are those within the molecule that keep the molecule
together, for example, the bonds between the atoms. Intermolecular forces are the
attractions between molecules, which determine many of the physical properties of a
substance.

Figure 2. Intramolecular forces keep a molecule intact. Intermolecular forces hold multiple
molecules together and determine many of a substance’s properties.

Types of Intermolecular Forces

1. London Dispersion Forces/ Dispersion Forces
This attractive force is called the London dispersion force in honor of German born
American physicist Fritz London who, in 1928, first explained it. This force is often
referred to as simply the dispersion force. Because the electrons of an atom or
molecule are in constant motion (or, alternatively, the electron’s location is subject to
 quantum-mechanical variability), at any moment in time, an atom or molecule can
develop a temporary, instantaneous dipole if its electrons are distributed
asymmetrically.

Figure 3. Dispersion forces result from the formation of temporary dipoles, as

illustrated here for two nonpolar diatomic molecules.

Dispersion forces that develop between atoms in different molecules can attract
the two molecules to each other. The forces are relatively weak, however, and become
significant only when the molecules are very close.

2. Dipole-Dipole Forces
Polar molecules have a partial positive charge on one side and a partial
negative charge on the other side of the molecule—a separation of charge called
a dipole. Consider a polar molecule such as hydrogen chloride, HCl. In the HCl
molecule, the more electronegative Cl atom bears the partial negative charge,
whereas the less electronegative H atom bears the partial positive charge. An
attractive force between HCl molecules results from the attraction between the positive
end of one HCl molecule and the negative end of another. This attractive force is called
a dipole-dipole attraction—the electrostatic force between the partially positive end
of one polar molecule and the partially negative end of another, as illustrated in Figure
4.

Figure 4. This image shows two arrangements of polar molecules, such as HCl, that
allow an attraction between the partial negative end of one molecule and the partial
positive end of another.
Dipole–dipole forces are forces that act between polar molecules.
3. Ion-Dipole Forces
An ion-dipole force is an attractive force that results from the electrostatic attraction
between an ion and a neutral molecule that has a dipole. Most commonly found in
solutions. Especially important for solutions of ionic compounds in polar liquids. A
positive ion (cation) attracts the partially negative end of a neutral polar molecule. And
a negative ion (anion) attracts the partially positive end of a neutral polar molecule.

Figure 5. An anion attracts the partially positive charge and a cation attracts partially
negative charge.

Ion-dipole attractions become stronger as either the charge on the ion increases,
or as the magnitude of the dipole of the polar molecule increases.

4. Hydrogen Bonding
This is a special kind of dipole-dipole interaction that occurs specifically between
a hydrogen atom bonded to either an oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine atom. The partially
positive end of hydrogen is attracted to the partially negative end of the oxygen,
nitrogen, or fluorine of another molecule. Hydrogen bonding is a relatively strong force
of attraction between molecules, and considerable energy is required to break
hydrogen bonds.

Figure 6. Water molecules participate in multiple hydrogen-bonding interactions

with nearby water molecules.
Despite use of the word “bond,” keep in mind that hydrogen bonds are
intermolecular attractive forces, not intramolecular attractive forces (covalent bonds).
Hydrogen bonds are much weaker than covalent bonds, only about 5 to 10% as strong,
but are generally much stronger than other dipole-dipole attractions and dispersion
forces.

HIGHLIGHT/ SUMMARY

 The physical properties of condensed matter (liquids and solids) can be

explained in terms of the kinetic molecular theory.
 In a liquid, intermolecular attractive forces hold the molecules in contact,
although they still have sufficient KE to move past each other.
 Intermolecular attractive forces are responsible for the behavior of liquids
and solids and are electrostatic in nature.
 Dipole-dipole attractions result from the electrostatic attraction of the partial
negative end of one dipolar molecule for the partial positive end of another.
 The temporary dipole that results from the motion of the electrons in an atom
can induce a dipole in an adjacent atom and give rise to the London
dispersion force.
 London forces increase with increasing molecular size.
 Hydrogen bonds are a special type of dipole-dipole attraction that results
when hydrogen is bonded to one of the three most electronegative elements:
F, O, or N.

CHAPTER ASSESSMENT
A. Multiple Choice. Read each statement carefully. Then, encircle the letter of the
best answer.

1. What was the Kinetic Molecular Theory designed to explain?

a. The behavior of matter c. What temperature measures
b. Intermolecular Forces d. Crystalline structures of solids

2. Kinetic Molecular Theory of matter states the following except one:

a. Matter is made up of particles that are intermittently moving.
b. The temperature of a substance is a measure of the average kinetic energy of
the particles.
c. A change in phase may occur when the energy of the particles is changed.
d. There are spaces between particles of matter. The average amount of empty
space between molecules gets progressively larger as a sample of matter moves
from the solid to the liquid and gas phases.

3. The intermolecular attractive forces are strong enough to hold molecules close
together.
a. Solid c. Liquid
b. Kinetic Molecular Theory d. Gas

4. If the molecules in a solid adopt a highly ordered packing arrangement, the

structures are said to be crystalline.
 a. Solid c. Liquid
b. Kinetic Molecular Theory d. Gas

5. The attractions between molecules, which determine many of the physical

properties of a substance.
a. Kinetic Molecular Theory c. Intermolecular Forces
b. Kinetic Molecular Model d. Kinetic Energy

6. Which statement defined Intermolecular Forces (IMF)?

a. Intramolecular forces keep a molecule intact.
b. Intermolecular forces hold multiple molecules together.
c. Determine many of a substance’s properties.
d. All of the above

7. Forces that is develop between atoms in different molecules can attract the two
molecules to each other. The forces are relatively weak, however, and become
significant only when the molecules are very close.
a. London Dispersion Forces/ Dispersion Forces
b. Dipole-Dipole Forces
c. Ion-Dipole Forces
d. Hydrogen Bonding

8. Forces that act between polar molecules.

a. London Dispersion Forces/ Dispersion Forces
b. Dipole-Dipole Forces
c. Ion-Dipole Forces
d. Hydrogen Bonding

9. Attractive force that results from the electrostatic attraction between an ion and
a neutral molecule that has a dipole.
a. London Dispersion Forces/ Dispersion Forces
b. Dipole-Dipole Forces
c. Ion-Dipole Forces
d. Hydrogen Bonding

10. This is a special kind of dipole-dipole interaction that occurs specifically

between a hydrogen atom bonded to either an oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine atom.
a. London Dispersion Forces/ Dispersion Forces
b. Dipole-Dipole Forces
c. Ion-Dipole Forces
d. Hydrogen Bonding

B. Differentiate the following terms. Discuss briefly and straight to the point. Use
your own words.
1. Intramolecular forces and Intermolecular forces
2. Liquid and Solid
3. Ion-Dipole Forces and Hydrogen Bonding
4. London Dispersion Forces and Dipole-Dipole Forces
5. Anion and Cation
REFERENCE
Blaber, M. (n.d.). The Kinetic Molecular Description of Liquids and Solids. Retrieved
March 10, 2019, from
http://www.mikeblaber.org/oldwine/chm1045/notes/Forces/Kinetic/Forces01.htm?fbcli
d=IwAR0aCohQ6xrf0pwNbXfcoFH8PGJ6G-li0rCdNiNDoRwbZu0UpfzO5ScwFHY
Boundless. (n.d.). Boundless Chemistry. Retrieved from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-chemistry/chapter/kinetic-molecular-
theory-of-
matter/?fbclid=IwAR1DxIaWCdXlIAkMAxUEJEHPXsQnZ1irjj83ihDf71rJZSYYzYHpk
OPcvzQ
Intramolecular and intermolecular forces. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2019, from
https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/chemical-processes/covalent-
bonds/a/intramolecular-and-intermolecular-forces?fbclid=IwAR1kFU-
IkcCyFYcyUrqGyFVq-RVMkVwKyYaUx1F18RwCXXgLsNhdzJm83-I
Ion-Dipole Forces. (n.d.). Retrieved March 10, 2019, from
https://www.chem.purdue.edu/gchelp/liquids/iondip.html?fbclid=IwAR3WDsOa_f7z27
aceLufujxMdg9ExPrjLqN_k66DIc_GNxlYxerzSyV9crM
Neth, E. J., Flowers, P., Theopold, K., Langley, R., & Robinson, W. R.
(2018). Chemistry: Atoms first. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
KEY TO CORRECTION
1. a
2. a
3. c
4. a
5. c
6. d
7. a
8. b
9. c
10. d