This is the principles (high school) version of the simulation. For a more advanced version, please see: “Intermolecular Forces: Rediscover the forces to save the world!”

Intermolecular forces hold our world - and us - together. In this simulation, you will learn about the intermolecular forces caused by temporary molecular dipoles, permanent molecular dipoles, and hydrogen bonding. You will figure out how to tell the different intermolecular forces apart, identify the substances where they are likely to occur, estimate their relative strength, and relate them to the bulk properties of matter. Can you use your newfound knowledge to save the day?

Discover intermolecular forces

After an unfortunate virtual lab accident, all intermolecular forces in the world have been disabled. It is now your mission to put them back. With the help of Dr. One, you will explore the three types of intermolecular forces and help save the world!

Permanent and temporary dipoles

You will use the periodic table of the elements to find out if a bond is polar based on the electronegativity of its atoms.Using this knowledge, and with the help of molecular 3D models, you will determine the presence of permanent dipoles in compounds such as fluoromethanes. You will be able to deduce how intermolecular forces affect a molecule’s state of matter such as the effect of the resulting permanent dipole-dipole forces on their boiling point. You will also learn about a special dipole-dipole force, such as the hydrogen bond, and its importance to life as we know it. Finally, you will learn about temporary dipoles and Van der Waals dispersion forces to explain the halogen's state of matter.

Put the world back together

After learning about all the intermolecular forces, it is time to put them back into the world. But be careful! You must pay attention to which molecules produce which intermolecular bonds. By the end of this simulation you should be able to pair up molecules with their dominant intermolecular forces and save the day.