Are Van der Waals Forces Stronger in Air or Water?

AI Thread Summary
Van der Waals forces are generally stronger in water than in air due to the higher dielectric constant of liquids, which enhances molecular interactions. The discussion highlights that gas molecules experience weaker interactions compared to those in liquids, contributing to the distinct states of matter. The size of particles, such as silica, may appear larger in gas than in liquid, but this does not directly correlate with the strength of van der Waals forces. A smaller dielectric constant in gases reduces the shielding effect, allowing for stronger interactions at the molecular level. Understanding these forces is crucial for explaining the behavior of different states of matter.
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Are van der waals forces between two molecules stronger in air of in water (as a medium)?
 
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Why is liquid a liquid and gas a gas?
 
Because the interaction forces between gas molecules are less strong than in a liquid. But I don't really see why, image two silica particles immersed in a liquid or in a gas.. I actually think they are larger is a gas than in a liquid. In the van der waals contributions there is the contribution of the dielectric constant, which is larger for the liquid than for the gas. The dieelectric constant stands in the denominator. But why does a smaller electric constant benefits van der waals forces physically?
 

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