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a level chem- van der waals forces doubt

this is what the text book says:
The dipole is caused by the changing position of the electron cloud, so the more electrons there are. the larger the instantaneous dipole will be.

does it mean larger in terms of size? or larger as in stronger?
thank you

(edited 3 years ago)

Reply 1

bambi1425

probably stronger since there's more difference in charge? what textbook is this?

Reply 2

username3477548

Original post by bambi1425

probably stronger since there's more difference in charge? what textbook is this?

Ok thanks
AQA :smile:

Reply 3

bambi1425

Original post by vix.xvi

Ok thanks
AQA :smile:

I might be wrong haven't done chem in 6 months but that's what makes sense to me 😅

quite surprised it's an official textbook that's quite unclear..didn't do aqa tho so 🤷

Reply 4

Crunch_chemistry

We always talk in terms of strength - more electrons means that as they move around, there will be greater differences in the uneven distribution of charge across the molecule which leads to a greater instantaneous dipole. As a result, the strength of attraction between such molecules will be greater.