Intermolecular Forces andPhases of Matter

Resources on these topics pages are here to assist you in your mastery of course content. None of the work, etc, on these pages are 'required,' so to speak. It is provided for you to use as fits into your overall approach to studying for this course. 

• General and detailed objectives give you an idea of how you will be assessed over each objective and can serve as a 'study guide' of sorts

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• When available, Reading Guides are provided to assist you in taking and organizing notes as you read the textbook. 

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• Any additional practice provided contains answer keys, so that you may check your work.

Bonding and Molecular Structure Objectives

1. Describe intermolecular forces and their effects 

2. Understand the properties of liquids 

3. Apply concepts of intermolecular forces to phase transitions 

4. Apply phase diagrams in discussing phase transitions and physical properties 

5. Understand the properties of solids 

Objective 1: Describe intermolecular forces and their effects 

• Read Section 10.1 - Intermolecular Forces

Upon successful completion of this unit you should be able to;

• • Describe the types of intermolecular forces possible between atoms or molecules in condensed phases (dispersion forces, dipole-dipole attractions, and hydrogen bonding)

  • Identify the types of intermolecular forces experienced by specific molecules based on their structures

  • Explain the relation between the intermolecular forces present within a substance and the temperatures associated with changes in its physical state

Objective 2: Understand the properties of liquids 

• Read Section 10.2 - Properties of Liquids

Upon successful completion of this unit you should be able to;

• • Distinguish between adhesive and cohesive forces

  • Define viscosity, surface tension, and capillary rise

  • Describe the roles of intermolecular attractive forces in each of these properties/phenomena

Objective 3: Apply concepts of intermolecular forces to phase transitions 

• Read Section 10.3 - Phase Transitions

Upon successful completion of this unit you should be able to;

• • Define phase transitions and phase transition temperatures

  • Explain the relation between phase transition temperatures and intermolecular attractive forces

  • Describe the processes represented by typical heating and cooling curves, and compute heat flows and enthalpy changes accompanying these processes

Objective 4: Apply phase diagrams in discussing phase transitions and physical properties 

• Read Section 10.4 - Phase Diagrams

Upon successful completion of this unit you should be able to;

• • Explain the construction and use of a typical phase diagram

  • Use phase diagrams to identify stable phases at given temperatures and pressures, and to describe phase transitions resulting from changes in these properties

  • Describe the supercritical fluid phase of matter

Objective 5: Understand the properties of solids 

• Read Section 10.5 - The Solid State of Matter

Upon successful completion of this unit you should be able to;

• • Define and describe the bonding and properties of ionic, molecular, metallic, and covalent network crystalline solids

  • Describe the main types of crystalline solids: ionic solids, metallic solids, covalent network solids, and molecular solids

  • Explain the ways in which crystal defects can occur in a solid