Which statement correctly describes London dispersion forces?

Which statement correctly describes London dispersion forces?

• A. They arise from instantaneous dipoles and occur in all molecules, especially nonpolar.
• B. They require hydrogen atoms bonded to oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine.
• C. They are the strongest type of IMF in polar molecules.
• D. They arise from permanent dipoles in molecules.

Answer: (A)

London dispersion forces arise from fluctuations in the electron cloud that create instantaneous dipoles, which in turn induce dipoles in neighboring molecules. They occur in all molecules, including nonpolar ones that lack permanent dipoles, and are generally the weakest type of intermolecular force. Their strength grows with greater polarizability, meaning larger molecules with more electrons and greater surface area have stronger dispersion forces and higher boiling points within a given family. The other statements describe hydrogen bonding or permanent dipole-dipole interactions, which are distinct from London dispersion forces.

London dispersion forces arise from fluctuations in the electron cloud that create instantaneous dipoles, which in turn induce dipoles in neighboring molecules. They occur in all molecules, including nonpolar ones that lack permanent dipoles, and are generally the weakest type of intermolecular force. Their strength grows with greater polarizability, meaning larger molecules with more electrons and greater surface area have stronger dispersion forces and higher boiling points within a given family. The other statements describe hydrogen bonding or permanent dipole-dipole interactions, which are distinct from London dispersion forces.