Question detail
What role does surface contact play in London dispersion forces?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Bonding
Question
- A. It has no effect on the forces
- B. More surface contact leads to stronger forces
- C. Less surface contact leads to stronger forces
- D. It only affects ionic compounds
Answer
More surface contact leads to stronger forces
Explanation
Greater surface contact allows for more interactions between molecules, enhancing the strength of London dispersion forces.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding London Forces
Students often confuse the effect of molecular size and surface contact on London dispersion forces, thinking that larger molecules always have stronger forces without considering surface area.
To explain how molecular size and surface contact affect London forces, use the formula that larger surface areas lead to increased contact points, enhancing the strength of London forces. For example, when comparing two molecules, if molecule A has a larger surface area than molecule B, then the London forces in molecule A will be stronger due to more significant surface contact. Therefore, larger and more branched molecules typically exhibit stronger London forces.
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