What is the strongest of the intermolecular forces
http://wine1.sb.fsu.edu/chm1045/notes/Forces/intermol/Forces02.htm
The strongest is electrostatic forces between ions.
But I don't call electrostatic forces between ions "intermolecular forces." They are ionic or electrostatic attractions between ions and not between molecules.
To determine the strongest intermolecular force, we need to consider forces that exist between molecules rather than ions. The primary types of intermolecular forces are:
1. London dispersion forces: These forces result from temporary fluctuations in the electron distribution around molecules. They are present in all molecules, but they are generally weaker for smaller and more symmetrical molecules.
2. Dipole-dipole forces: These forces arise when polar molecules interact with each other. Polar molecules have an uneven distribution of electron density, leading to partial positive and negative charges. The positive end of one molecule is attracted to the negative end of another.
3. Hydrogen bonding: This force is a specific type of dipole-dipole force that occurs when a hydrogen atom is bonded to a highly electronegative atom (such as nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine) and forms a strong electrostatic interaction with another electronegative atom.
4. Ion-dipole forces: Although they are not strictly considered intermolecular forces, ion-dipole interactions can also be quite strong. These forces occur when an ion interacts with the partial charges on a polar molecule.
Among these intermolecular forces, hydrogen bonding is generally considered the strongest, followed by dipole-dipole forces and then London dispersion forces. However, it's important to note that the strength of intermolecular forces can vary depending on the specific molecules involved and their molecular structures.