Bond Strength and Polarizability

[Isaac Wen]

Hi!

I'm a little confused about how bond strength relates to polarizability. Namely, if larger atoms have longer bonds and thus weaker bonds, how can they create larger London forces? Or am I confusing intramolecular and intermolecular bonds?

[Isabella Chou 1A]

I think you might be confusing intramolecular and intermolecular forces as you said. Even if a molecule has strong bonds (which are intramolecular), it doesn't necessarily mean it will have strong intermolecular forces (such as London forces). I hope this helps!

[Summer_Corona 3L]

As the previous person stated, you are mixing the two. However, a larger molecule, especially one that is rod-shaped, is able to have a stronger LDF than a smaller molecule. The reason for this is because the larger molecule has a larger surface area and can allow for more LDF to occur compared to the smaller one.

[kateraelDis1L]

I agree with them^^ to further help, I just have it memorized that highly polarizable means strong London. It is better to differentiate in your head inter and intra molecular forces so you don't get confused.

[105618850]

I agree, London dispersion forces are the forces between multiple molecules, or intermolecular forces. Topics that concern bond lengths relate to intramolecular forces.