Wednesday, October 27, 2010

dispersion forces

How do dispersion forces cause noble gases to liquefy at low temps?
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Dispersion forces -- like any intermolecular force -- cause gas particles to be drawn close to each other.  Once the particles are brought close enough to each other, they become a liquid.  Liquids and gases are both fluids (contain to their container and can flow), but, in liquids, the particles are "rolling over" on each other; they're much closer than in gases.  Remember that it is these intermolecular forces that must be overcome for a liquid to boil. 

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