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UCE (O-Level) Intermolecular forces — practice questions

Explore 4 free Intermolecular forces questions in UCE (O-Level) Chemistry. Open each question or exercise to read its content, reference answers and available explanation.

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Intermolecular forces questions and exercises with answers

Showing questions 1–4 of 4.

What are intermolecular forces?Read the answer and worked solution →Which intermolecular force acts between two non-polar molecules?Read the answer and worked solution →Ice cubes float on the liquid water in a glass. Which unusual property of water explains this?Read the answer and worked solution →A metal pot on a stove becomes painfully hot long before the water inside it warms up. Which property of water explains this?Read the answer and worked solution →

Worked practice questions

What are intermolecular forces?

  1. Forces between molecules
  2. Forces inside a nucleus
  3. Forces between the atoms
  4. Forces along a surface
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Correct answer: A. Forces between molecules

1. Interatomic forces are the chemical bonds that hold atoms together inside a molecule. 2. Intermolecular forces are the forces that act between molecules. 3. They act over larger distances and are much weaker than the bonds inside a molecule. 4. It is these weaker forces that set melting points, boiling points and viscosity. _Source: Siyavula Physical Sciences Grade 11 (Everything Science, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 4: Intermolecular forces_

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Which intermolecular force acts between two non-polar molecules?

  1. Ion-dipole forces
  2. Induced dipole forces
  3. Dipole-dipole forces
  4. Ion-induced forces
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Correct answer: B. Induced dipole forces

1. A non-polar molecule has its charge spread evenly and carries no permanent dipole. 2. At any instant the moving electrons can still sit unevenly, giving a temporary dipole. 3. Induced dipole forces exist between two non-polar molecules for exactly this reason. 4. Ion-dipole forces need an ion and a polar molecule, so neither partner here would qualify. _Source: Siyavula Physical Sciences Grade 11 (Everything Science, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 4: Intermolecular forces_

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Ice cubes float on the liquid water in a glass. Which unusual property of water explains this?

  1. A very high specific heat
  2. A high heat of vaporisation
  3. A low melting point value
  4. A less dense solid phase
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Correct answer: D. A less dense solid phase

1. An object floats when it is less dense than the liquid around it. 2. Most materials contract when they solidify, so their solid phase is denser. 3. Water expands instead, so its solid phase is less dense than its liquid phase. 4. This behaviour also comes from the hydrogen bonds between water molecules. 5. Floating ice insulates the water below it and lets life survive under a frozen surface. 6. Specific heat and heat of vaporisation are real properties of water but neither one decides whether a solid floats. _Source: Siyavula Physical Sciences Grade 11 (Everything Science, CC BY 4.0), Chapter 4: Intermolecular forces_

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