Section 3: Bonding - Intermolecular Forces

Question 1

Between which molecules can hydrogen bonds form?

Answer 1

Hydrogen bonds can only form between

Hydrogen and Fluorine H-F

Hydrogen and Oxygen O-H

Hydrogen and Nitrogen H-F

Question 2

Why does hydrogen bonding occur between nitrogen , fluorine and oxygen but not other elements?

Answer 2

Fluorine , nitrogen and oxygen are very electronegative.

Question 3

Explain a hydrogen bond

Answer 3

Hydrogen bonding is the strongest intermolecular force. It only happens with oxygen fluorine and nitrogen as their electronegativity is so strong that it can draw the bonding electrons away from a hydrogen atom. The hydrogens become so positively polarised that they can form weak bonds with lone pairs on neighbouring molecules