Question detail
Which of the following statements is true regarding 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. They are stronger in polar molecules than in non-polar molecules
- B. They are present in all molecules regardless of polarity
- C. They only occur in ionic compounds
- D. They are the strongest type of intermolecular force
Answer
They are present in all molecules regardless of polarity
Explanation
London dispersion forces exist in all molecules due to the presence of temporary dipoles, regardless of whether the molecules are polar or non-polar.
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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