Question

Explain Van der Waals forces

Answer 1

Molecules can attract each other at moderate distances and repel each other at close range.The attractive forces are collectively called VAN DER WAALS forces.These are weak forces which contribute to intermolecular bonding between molecules.These forces are much weaker than chemical bonds, and random thermal motion around room temperature can usually overcome or disrupt them.Van der waals forces include all intermolecular forces that act between electrically neutral molecules.Van der waals forces are sum of attractive and repulsive forces between atoms and molecules. These forces differ from chemical bonding because they result in fluctuations in charge density of particles.

Answer 2

The van der Waals equation is an equation that is valid for real gases. The two properties of real gases are the excluded volume of gas particles represented as 'b' and attractive forces between gas molecules as 'a'.

The formula for Van der waals Force is :

[P + a(n/V) ²][V-nb]=nRT