Questions: Intermolecular forces are the interactions between molecules and are generally weaker than bonds within molecules. What type of forces occur between a cation and an anion?

Intermolecular forces are the interactions between molecules and are generally weaker than bonds within molecules.

What type of forces occur between a cation and an anion?

Transcript text: Intermolecular forces are the interactions between molecules and are generally weaker than bonds within molecules. What type of forces occur between a cation and an anion?

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Identify the Type of Interaction

The interaction between a cation and an anion is a type of intermolecular force. Cations are positively charged ions, while anions are negatively charged ions. The force that occurs between them is due to the electrostatic attraction between opposite charges.

Step 2: Determine the Specific Force

The specific type of force that occurs between a cation and an anion is known as an ionic bond. Although ionic bonds are often considered intramolecular forces when they occur within a compound, they can also be considered intermolecular forces when discussing the interactions between separate ions in a solution or lattice.