Question

What are the weakest attractions between molecules?
a. ionic forces
c. covalent forces
b. Van der Waals forces
d. hydrogen forces

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. Van der waals forces is the weakest intermolecular force. It is a temporary force that happens when electrons of two adjacent atoms occupy positions that make atoms form dipoles which can be temporary dipoles or a stronger dipole-dipole forces. 

Answer 2

$\boxed{{\text{b}}{\text{. Van der Waals forces}}}$ are the weakest attractions between molecules.

Further Explanation:

Intermolecular forces:

As is clear from its name, intermolecular forces are those forces that are present between the molecules. Such forces include both attractive and repulsive forces. The stability of different molecules is due to existence of these intermolecular forces.

a. Ionic forces:

Such forces come into account whenever there is an interaction between a metal and a non-metal. It takes place by the formation of ions by the respective neutral atoms. These involve the complete transference of electrons between metals and non-metals.

b. Vander Waals forces:

These forces arise between atoms and molecules. Such forces are also called London dispersion forces or instantaneous dipole-induced dipole forces. These forces act over a small range.

c. Covalent forces:

Such type of forces is present when there is sharing of electrons. In this type of bond, each of the bonded atoms mutually shares electrons between the two. This type of bonding generally occurs between two or more non-metals.

d. Hydrogen forces:

This kind of force occurs between hydrogen and a highly electronegative element. These electronegative elements include nitrogen, oxygen and fluorine. This bonding is very strong in nature. Such bonds are also responsible for high boiling points of compounds.

Since Vander Waals forces are temporary forces that occur between electrons of the adjacent atoms when they approach each other, these are the weakest attractions between the molecules. Therefore option b is the correct answer.

Learn more:

1. Identification of ionic bonding: https://brainly.com/question/1603987
2. What type of bond exists between phosphorus and chlorine? https://brainly.com/question/81715

Answer details:

Grade: High School

Subject: Chemistry

Chapter: Intermolecular forces

Keywords: intermolecular forces, hydrogen forces, ionic forces, covalent forces, vander waals forces, metal, non-metal, atom, molecule, weakest attractions.