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Intermolecular Bonding

Intermolecular forces are the focus of this segment, and the students learn why hydrogen bonding makes ice float.

Inter molecular forces are the focus of this segment, and the students learn why hydrogen bonding makes ice float.

Premiere Date: July 11, 2016 | Runtime: 00:19:39

Support Materials


Unit 4E Note Taking Guide & Segment Questions
Unit 4E Salt-Sugar Melting Points

Crosscutting Concepts

System and System Models




Scale, Proportion, and Quantity


Stability and Change


Structure and Function


Cause and Effect


Science & Engineering Practices

Analyzing and Interpreting Data


Asking Questions and Defining Problems


Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions


Engaging in Argument from Evidence


Obtaining, Evaluating and Communicating Information


Planning and Carrying Out Investigations



adhesion - the tendency of molecules to stick to substances that are dissimilar. 

anion - a negatively charged ion. 

cation - a positively charged ion. 

chemical bond - an electrical interaction between the positively charged nuclei and the negatively charged electrons of atoms that forms when the force of attraction is stronger than the force of repulsion. 

cohesion - the action or property of like molecules sticking together, being mutually attractive. 

covalent bond - a bond in which pairs of electrons are shared between atoms, instead of being transferred from one atom to another. 

double covalent bond - a bond in which atoms share two pairs of electrons. 

electronegativity - the ability of an atom to attract additional electrons. 

electrostatic force - a force in which oppositely charged particles are attracted to each other, while like charges repel each other.

intermolecular forces - the attractive forces acting between molecules.

intramolecular bond - a bond that is occuring within a molecule. 

ion - an atom with a positive or negative charge. 

ionic bond - a bond that occurs between atoms, through the transfer of electrons, when a positively charged atom and negatively charged atom are attracted to one another. 

molecule - a group of atoms that have chemically bonded and behave as an individual unit. 

nonpolar covalent bond - a bond that forms between atoms in which their electrons are shared equally. 

octet rule - when an ion or an atom has eight valence electrons, it is at its most stable electron configuration.

polar covalent bond - a bond in which electrons are shared unequally between atoms. 

single covalent bond - a bond in which atoms share only one pair of electrons. 

triple covalent bond - A bond in which atoms share three pairs of electrons. 

valence electrons - the electrons found in the outermost electron shell of an atom. 

Georgia Standards of Excellence

SC2Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the chemical and physical properties of matter resulting from the ability of atoms to form bonds.

SC2.aPlan and carry out an investigation to gather evidence to compare the physical and chemical properties at the macroscopic scale to infer the strength of intermolecular and intramolecular forces.

SC2.bConstruct an argument by applying principles of inter- and intra- molecular forces to identify substances based on chemical and physical properties.

SC2.cConstruct an explanation about the importance of molecular-level structure in the functioning of designed materials. (Clarification statement: Examples could include why electrically conductive materials are often made of metal, flexible but durable materials are made up of long chained molecules, and pharmaceuticals are designed to interact with specific receptors.)

SC2.dDevelop and use models to evaluate bonding configurations from nonpolar covalent to ionic bonding. (Clarification statement: VSEPR theory is not addressed in this element.)

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