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Organic Chemistry Questions and Short Answers

Which molecules show London Dispersion Force?

All atoms and molecules show London Dispersion Force, a primary way atoms and molecules interact. Most of the time, molecules have additional stronger forces than the London Dispersion Force, which is the weakest. Therefore, London Dispersion forces are exclusively seen in the nonpolar molecules since they don't have other competing functional groups leading to other interfering intermolecular interactions.

Why are London Dispersion forces called induced dipole interactions?

London Dispersion forces are seen in all the atoms and the molecules; however, it is the exclusive force binding nonpolar molecules. Nonpolar molecules are made of two or more atoms, and the electronegativity between two atoms in a covalent bond is less than 0.5. Therefore, no charges are separated to create poles in nonpolar molecules or atoms. Despite not having poles, nonpolar molecules interact using a weak force of attraction known as the London Forces.