Intermolecular Forces
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Intermolecular Forces
Polarity
Use this interactive applet ·35
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN YOUR NOTEBOOK
Part I: What factors affect molecule polarity?
- Explore the Molecule Polarity simulation for a few minutes with a partner. In each of the three tabs, try to find all of the controls and figure out how they work.
Two Atoms tab
- Describe all of the ways you can change the polarity of the two-atom molecule.
Three Atoms tab
- Describe any new ways you can change the polarity of the three-atom molecule.
- Explain the relationship between the bond dipoles and the molecular dipole.
- Can a non-polar molecule contain polar bonds? Explain your answer with an example.
Real Molecules tab
- Predict the polarity of 3 real molecules. First, draw the molecules and any bond dipoles. Then draw any molecular dipoles. Explain your reasoning before you check your predictions with the simulation.
Atomic interactions
You can investigate atomic interactions using this applet
First view the combinations of atoms Neon-Neon down to Argon-Oxygen at the bottom, then choose "adjustable attraction", change the atom diameter and note how this changes the potential energy and the distance between the atoms, next choose interaction strength and again note how it changes the potential energy and the distance between atoms. Write down what combinations will give the highest stability and which will give the shortest bond length.
Draw a graph of potential energy VS Distance between atoms and mark on it
- The average bond length
- The bond dissociation energy
Many molecular model systems use perforated styrofoam, wooden, or plastic balls to represent atoms and wooden sticks to connect the atom models. The ball and stick model gives the impression of a rigid chemical bond. Based on your observation on the simulation, rather than describing a chemical bond as rigid as a wooden stick, how would you describe the interaction of two atoms in a covalent bond?
Based on the behavior of the interacting atoms, how would you define “bond length”?