Van der Waals forces

• weakest type of intermolecular force
• what does it act as?

  an induced dipole between molecules
• what does the strength of Van Der Waals forces vary depending on?

  the Mr of the molecule and its shape
• varying Mr


  the larger the Mr of the molecule, the stronger the intermolecular forces
• varying shape of molecules


  straight chain molecules experience stronger VDWs than branched chain molecules as they can line up and pack closer together
• what does the branched chain molecules reduce?

  the distance over which the force acts so they are stronger