Determining possible intermolecular forces

[Leslie Cheng 4B]

Is there an easy way to remember which type of intermolecular forces are possible by looking at a molecule? What are the key characteristics of each type of intermolecular force? (For example, dispersion forces are present in all molecules?)

[Megan Wong 4E]

Aside from VDW, as you mentioned, that can be found in all molecules, another one is that hydrogen bonding can occur between hydrogens attached to either F, O, or N.

[Joaquin Andrade]

Dipole moments can also be found in polar molecules, depending on the electronegativity difference and the shape of the molecule. For instance, a tetrahedral allows for a dipole moment to occur whereas in an octahedral the non-central atoms pull away from each and cancel each other out.

[Sydney Stump]

The most important factor in determining the intermolecular forces on a molecule is the polarity of the molecule. A polar molecule will be involved in forces such as dipole-dipole. A nonpolar molecule cannot be involved in dipole-dipole forces because there is no charge, therefore there is no dipole.