Polarizability

[305892961]

I was looking for some clarification on the equation 1/r^6. This was related to a question on midterm two and I know that it has to do with polarizability, however, I am not sure what it proves or in what situations to use it.

[Sydni Bednarek 3I]

1/r^6 represents the strength of intermolecular forces between two molecules. Essentially, as the distance, r, between two molecules increases, the strength of the intermolecular forces between those two molecules decreases significantly. The denominator of the equation is equal to the distance between the two molecules to the sixth power and thus increases greatly as the distance between two molecules increases. This results in the decrease of the term 1/r^6 to decrease.

[Levy Shaked]

Agreed. 1/r^n relationships represent the strengths of intermolecular forces; 1/r^6, however, represents the strength of Van der Waals attractions specifically. 1/r represents the strength of a covalent bond, 1/r^2 represents the strength of an ionic bond, etc.