London Dispersion Force in Molecular vs. Ionic Compounds

[temaire]

Homework Statement

Does London Dispersion Force exist only in molecular compounds, or do they also exist in ionic compounds?

Homework Equations

None.

The Attempt at a Solution

I think it exists only in molecular compounds.

 

[eli64]

London forces exist in all atoms and ions. Think about what London forces are (temporary shifts in electron density that create dipoles) this can occur in all particles. However, in ions it would be the weakest attractive force since there are full positive or full negative charge attractions that would be much stronger than these mini temporary dipoles. LF are relevant in molecular compounds (especially non-polar) because that is the main intermolecular attractive force.