How do London Forces/Van der Waal's forces arise?

In the outer shells of atoms, electrons move around uncontrollably and spontaneously, these leads to there being an uneven distribution of electrons in this region. This uneven distribution induces a dipole in this atom, which then in turn induces dipoles in neighboring atoms.

RA
Answered by Raisha A. Chemistry tutor

6876 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the name of the mechanism where bromoethane is produced from ethene?


Periodicity shows a fairly smooth increasing trend across a period for ionisation energy. However, between groups 2 & 3 and groups 5 & 6, the trend doesn't appear to be followed. Using your knowledge of chemistry, explain why the trend isn't followed here


Describe the key properties that rely upon metallic bonding and explain this.


State 2 features of a system that is in dynamic equilibrium.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning