Intermolecular force

As intermolecular or intermolecular forces are called interactions between valenzmäßig dangling molecules. These forces are not the interactions which effect the binding of atoms into molecules. Intermolecular forces are based on Van der Waals forces.

Intermolecular forces are typically much weaker than chemical bonds. They are macroscopically observable by effects such as surface tension, capillarity, and adhesive and cohesive forces. Thus, intermolecular forces cause the existence of physical states of molecular compounds. Without it, such as liquids would behave like gases. A special type of intermolecular forces are hydrogen bonds whose strength can be relatively come close to the strength of chemical bonds.