Definition of London Dispersion Force



London Dispersion Force is one of the kinds of intermolecular forces (forces that held the molecules together) and it is known to be the weakest of them. It is a temporary force that exists when the electrons belonging to two different atoms are occupying such positions in the atoms that are responsible for forming temporary dipoles.

 


This force is also known as induced dipole-induced dipole attraction. The unsymmetrical distribution of the electrons about the nucleus tends to form an instantaneous dipole in an atom or a molecule. The non-polar substances condense and form liquid due to such forces. Moreover, they also freeze into solids when the temperature is highly reduced.

 


They are present in both polar and non-polar molecules. They are stronger between the molecules which tend to get polarized easily.


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