Why does hydrogen is taken specially in intermolecular forces?

In summary, hydrogen bonding is a strong intermolecular force that is significantly stronger than other types of intermolecular forces due to the large electronegativity difference between hydrogen and other highly electronegative atoms. The small size of hydrogen atoms also contributes to their role in intermolecular forces, as they are highly polarizable. Hydrogen bonding is only possible with specific atoms, such as oxygen and nitrogen, due to their high electronegativity values. This type of bonding affects the physical properties of substances, including their melting and boiling points, surface tension, and viscosity. Hydrogen bonding can also occur between molecules of the same substance, known as intramolecular hydrogen bonding.
  • #1
abi.ayan
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Though there are other atoms with less electronegativity which can form effective attraction forces,why hydrogen is taken as a speacial case?
 
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  • #2
Simplest atom.
 
  • #3
Are you asking why you see things called "hydrogen bonds" but not "other bonds"? It's nothing particular to hydrogen per se, it's just that there's so much of it out there and it's so often bound to oxygen and nitrogen (for example) in organic chemistry and it's able to form those weaker type bonds in solution. It's a "ubiquity" thing, not a "special" thing.
 
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1. Why is hydrogen bonding considered a special type of intermolecular force?

Hydrogen bonding is considered a special type of intermolecular force because it is significantly stronger than other types of intermolecular forces, such as London dispersion and dipole-dipole interactions. This is due to the large electronegativity difference between hydrogen and other highly electronegative atoms, such as oxygen and nitrogen, which allows for a strong dipole-dipole attraction.

2. How does the small size of hydrogen atoms contribute to their role in intermolecular forces?

The small size of hydrogen atoms allows them to be highly polarizable, meaning they can easily form temporary dipoles with neighboring atoms. This makes them more likely to participate in intermolecular interactions, particularly hydrogen bonding, which contributes to the overall strength of intermolecular forces.

3. Why is hydrogen bonding only possible with specific atoms, such as oxygen and nitrogen?

Hydrogen bonding is only possible with specific atoms, such as oxygen and nitrogen, because these atoms have high electronegativity values, meaning they strongly attract electrons. This creates a large electronegativity difference between hydrogen and these atoms, allowing for the formation of strong dipole-dipole interactions.

4. How does hydrogen bonding affect the physical properties of substances?

Hydrogen bonding plays a significant role in determining the physical properties of substances. It can contribute to higher melting and boiling points, increased surface tension, and greater viscosity. This is due to the strength of hydrogen bonds, which requires more energy to break and results in stronger intermolecular forces between molecules.

5. Can hydrogen bonding occur between molecules of the same substance?

Yes, hydrogen bonding can occur between molecules of the same substance. This is known as intramolecular hydrogen bonding and can be seen in molecules such as ethanol and acetic acid. In these cases, the hydrogen bond forms between different functional groups within the same molecule, rather than between separate molecules.

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