Determine the kinds of intermolecular forces that are present in each element or compound. d. He

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the type of element or compound: Helium (He) is a noble gas.
2. Understand the nature of noble gases: Noble gases are monoatomic and nonpolar.
3. Recognize the types of intermolecular forces: The primary intermolecular force in noble gases is London dispersion forces.
4. Explain London dispersion forces: These are weak forces that arise due to temporary fluctuations in electron density, leading to temporary dipoles.
5. Conclude the analysis: Since helium is a noble gas, the only intermolecular force present is London dispersion forces.

Key Concepts

Intermolecular Forces

Intermolecular forces are the attractive forces between molecules that influence physical properties such as boiling and melting points. These forces include hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces. Understanding these forces is crucial for predicting how substances behave in different states and conditions.

Noble Gases

Helium (He) is a noble gas, characterized by a complete valence shell, which makes it chemically inert. Noble gases primarily exhibit London dispersion forces, which are weak and arise from temporary dipoles created when electron distributions fluctuate. This results in very low boiling and melting points for noble gases compared to other elements.

Phase Changes

Phase changes refer to the transitions between solid, liquid, and gas states of matter, which are influenced by intermolecular forces. The strength of these forces determines the energy required for a substance to change phases. For helium, the weak London dispersion forces mean it remains a gas at very low temperatures, only condensing under extreme conditions.