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Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular Forces

Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions (attractive or repulsive) between charged species (permanent, partial, or temporary charges) and exist with varying strengths between ions, polar, nonpolar, and neutral molecules. The different types of intermolecular forces are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion; among these, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion...

Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular Forces

Atoms and molecules interact through bonds (or forces): intramolecular and intermolecular. The forces are electrostatic as they arise from interactions (attractive or repulsive) between charged species (permanent, partial, or temporary charges) and exist with varying strengths between ions, polar, nonpolar, and neutral molecules. The different types of intermolecular forces are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion; among these, dipole–dipole, hydrogen bonds, and dispersion...

Aqueous Solutions and Heats of Hydration

Aqueous Solutions and Heats of Hydration

Water and other polar molecules are attracted to ions. The electrostatic attraction between an ion and a molecule with a dipole is called an ion-dipole attraction. These attractions play an important role in the dissolution of ionic compounds in water.
When ionic compounds dissolve in water, the ions in the solid separate and disperse uniformly throughout the solution because water molecules surround and solvate the ions, reducing the strong electrostatic forces between them. This process...

Van der Waals Interactions

Van der Waals Interactions

Atoms and molecules interact with each other through intermolecular forces. These electrostatic forces arise from attractive or repulsive interactions between particles with permanent, partial, or temporary charges. The intermolecular forces between neutral atoms and molecules are ion–dipole, dipole–dipole, and dispersion forces, collectively known as van der Waals forces.Polar molecules have a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other end of the molecule,...

Common Ion Effect

Common Ion Effect

Compared with pure water, the solubility of an ionic compound is less in aqueous solutions containing a common ion (one also produced by dissolution of the ionic compound). This is an example of a phenomenon known as the common ion effect, which is a consequence of the law of mass action that may be explained using Le Châtelier’s principle. Consider the dissolution of silver iodide:

Intermolecular vs Intramolecular Forces

Intermolecular vs Intramolecular Forces

Intermolecular forces (IMF) are electrostatic attractions arising from charge-charge interactions between molecules. The strength of the intermolecular force is influenced by the distance of separation between molecules. The forces significantly affect the interactions in solids and liquids, where the molecules are close together. In gases, IMFs become important only under high-pressure conditions (due to the proximity of gas molecules). Intermolecular forces dictate the physical properties of...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy

Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy

Published on: May 27, 2018

Specific ion effects on interfacial water structure near macromolecules.

Xin Chen¹, Tinglu Yang, Sho Kataoka

¹Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA.

Journal of the American Chemical Society

|September 21, 2007

Summary

Specific ions significantly alter interfacial water structure around macromolecules. The study reveals a Hofmeister series for anions, demonstrating their dominant role in water reorganization at interfaces.

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Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy

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Published on: May 27, 2018

Sub-nanometer Resolution Imaging with Amplitude-modulation Atomic Force Microscopy in Liquid

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Published on: December 20, 2016

Area of Science:

Physical Chemistry
Surface Science
Biophysical Chemistry

Background:

Interfacial water structure influences many chemical and biological processes.
Understanding macromolecule-ion interactions is crucial for various applications.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the impact of specific ions on interfacial water structure near macromolecules.
To elucidate the role of anions versus cations in water reorganization.

Main Methods:

Utilizing vibrational sum frequency spectroscopy (VSFS) to probe water structure.
Adsorbing poly-(N-isopropylacrylamide) at the air/water interface.
Employing various sodium salts in the subphase to study ion effects.

Main Results:

Salt presence reorganized water adjacent to the macromolecule, dependent on ion identity and concentration.
A distinct Hofmeister series was observed for anions, indicating their strong influence on water orientation.
Cation identity showed minimal effect on interfacial water structure.
A linear relationship was found between OH stretch oscillator strength and surface potential changes due to anion adsorption.

Conclusions:

Interfacial water structure is primarily dictated by macromolecule-ion interactions, particularly anion adsorption.
VSFS provides a powerful tool to study these interactions and derive binding isotherms.
The findings offer direct evidence for the dominant role of ions in shaping interfacial water properties.