The document discusses London (dispersion) forces between different molecules. London forces are strongest between non-polar molecules and increase with the size and number of electrons in the molecule. PCl5 is the most non-polar and largest molecule listed, so it experiences the strongest London forces. The order from weakest to strongest London forces is therefore HI < PCl3 < PCl5.
UGC NET Paper 1 Mathematical Reasoning & Aptitude.pdf
Rank the following in order of increasing London forces- PCl3- PCl5- H.docx
1. Rank the following in order of increasing London forces. PCl3, PCl5, HI
Solution
London forces,also called,dispersion forces or induced dipole-induced dipole attraction is the
weakest intermolecular forces of attraction.This force exists in non-polar molecules, when the
non-polar molecules acts as temporary dipoles due to unsymmetrical distribution of electrons in
the molecule.
Reason: The constant motion of electrons may sometimes lead the electrons to be
unsymmetrically distributed to cause the molecule to acquire partial negative charge at region of
high electron density and partial positive charge at region of low electron density.
Answer) The more the molecule is non-polar,the more is the london dispersion forces.between
the molecules.
Lower the difference of electronegativity, less polar the molecule happens to be.
Fazan's rules can be used to check the covalent or non-polarity of the given molecules.
-A compound with low positive charge, large cation and relatively small anion is ionic or polar
-A compound with high positive charge,small cation and large anion like HI with H+ and I- are
non-polar
Both PCl3 and PCl5 has bond between P and Cl atoms and Cl is significantly more
electronegative than P.So P-Cl bonds are polar.But the geometry of PCl3 with P at the centre
with three Cl and one lone pair of electrons around it arranged in trigonal pyramidal geometry
(asymmetrical shape) ,thereby giving positive net dipole moment for the molecule(the dipoles of
P-Cl bond do not cancel each other)
But in PCl5 ,the central atom P has 5 Cl electrons arranged in trigonal bipyramidal geometry
(symmetrical shape) ,thereby giving zero net dipole moment for the molecule(the dipoles of P-Cl
bond cancel each other)
non-polarity :HI>PCl5>PCl3