Freezing Point With Intermolecular Forces: Detailed Facts

This article on physics will know the detailed facts and the relationship of freezing point with intermolecular forces.

The freezing point temperature and the intermolecular forces of a material are always dependent on each another. Consider that for a substance “x,” if the intermolecular forces are very strong, even their freezing point will be relatively high. It is vice versa in the case of substances having weak intermolecular forces.

First, let us know the two aspects of freezing point and intermolecular forces in detail.

Freezing Point: Meaning and facts

The freezing point of any compound or substance occurs when there is a change in the phase of the particular matter.

It happens mainly due to the change in the temperature range. The important attributes that affect freezing are temperature, melting point, intermolecular forces, vapor pressure, etc. All these factors act differently for different liquids.

Now let us study another aspect of the discussion that is intermolecular force.

Intermolecular forces: Definition and meaning

Can observe intermolecular forces between the molecules of a matter; the nature of these forces can be attractive or repulsive depending on the interaction.

These forces can be shortly termed IMF and can bring physical and chemical changes in the properties of a substance.
When two molecules need to combine or part away from one other, these intermolecular forces exist between them.
Can observe these forces in both solid and liquid matter.

Now to understand in detail the relationship between freezing point with intermolecular forces.

Relationship between intermolecular force and freezing point

The intermolecular forces with freezing points have numerous relations; let us study some in detail.

We can always observe the intermolecular forces at the molecular level; they help the molecules to stay together if they are high; they can be of various types depending on the nature of bonds.
The freezing point will be considered as a certain temperature at which a substantial in its liquid matter will get transforms into a solid phase.
Both will be completely dependent and always proportional to each another.
Suppose the intermolecular force has a higher value for any substance. In that case, even its freezing temperature will be more because it requires sufficient energy to break the force and change the arrangement of molecules.
Now if we consider the second case then it will be the reverse result i.e., intermolecular forces are very weak.
In the case of fluid matter, if the intermolecular forces are more, it affects its properties and moves slowly.

Now to read and understand about the major effect of intermolecular forces on freezing point.

How do intermolecular forces affect freezing point?

If we consider the two different phases of a matter, i.e., solid and liquid, they have different values of intermolecular forces.

Suppose for any substance, and the intermolecular force has a higher value. In that case, even its freezing temperature will be more because it requires sufficient energy to break the force and change the arrangement of molecules.
If we increase or decrease the temperature of freezing, then the stronger intermolecular forces will alter in such a way according to the nature of force.
In the case of fluid and liquid matter, if the intermolecular forces are more, it affects its properties and moves very slowly.

Now let us study about the substances that has the highest freezing point.

Which intermolecular force has the highest freezing point?

Different types of bonds vary from weak to strong intermolecular forces.

If we consider ethanol and methyl ether, dipole-dipole interactions and London dispersion forces are observed; one more important bond observed in ethanol is the hydrogen bond that makes the substance has a higher freezing point in comparison with the other compounds.

The higher freezing points also depend on the intermolecular forces’ nature and the bond that particles possess.

Does freezing point increase with intermolecular forces?

The freezing point always increases when there are high intermolecular forces.

The physical and chemical attributes of a substantial increases; if there are higher intermolecular forces except for the case of vapor pressure. The processes such as freezing, melting, and boiling of a substance are proportional to intermolecular forces.

To understand how the freezing point increases.

How freezing point increase with intermolecular forces?

During freezing, the state of a substance changes, and the intermolecular forces play a major part in bringing that change.

In a liquid phase, the molecules are arranged somewhat far away compared to solids, and intermolecular forces in this state will be less. When the freezing starts, all the molecules with high intermolecular forces are brought together to form a solid-state. For this purpose higher freezing temperature is required.

In this way, the freezing point increases with intermolecular forces.

How do intermolecular forces affect freezing point depression?

Freezing point depression can be understood as a reduction caused by freezing temperature when other solutes are added to the compound.

We have already learned that intermolecular forces have a direct effect on freezing point temperature. Both are proportional to each other; when there is a phase change, the breaking of forces requires higher energy obtained after increasing the temperature. The atmospheric air acts as solutes that help the intermolecular forces change the freezing point depression.

These are how intermolecular forces affect freezing point depression.

Can temperature affect intermolecular forces?

Temperature variation always brings changes in intermolecular forces.

If there is an increase in temperature, the molecules will gain sufficient energy that helps them overcome their intermolecular forces; it changes the arrangement of molecules and leads to a change in the state of the substance; for example, liquids can change into solids or vice versa. It depends on the nature of their intermolecular forces.

To study the effect of intermolecular forces in ice.

Can intermolecular forces break when solid ice melts?

When there is a change in the phase of a substance, the intermolecular forces of that substance changes.

During the physical transformation of a compound, there will be some change in arrangement of molecules due to the varying strength of intermolecular forces. So, when the solid ice melts, the molecular forces break and change into other forms.

To study the varying freezing points of liquid substances.

Can we consider that different liquid substances have different freezing points?

Different liquid substances have different temperature ranges of freezing points.

The molecular composition of each liquid substance is different, and the temperatures at which they freeze also depend on their intermolecular force. So, all the liquid substances certainly have different freezing points.

To know about the temperature of the freezing point.

Which substance has the highest freezing point?

The finest element that has the largest freezing point is tungsten.

The chemical composition of tungsten elements is such that the intermolecular forces between them are the strongest, leading to the higher freezing temperature at 3695 K. It also has a higher fusion rate.

Now let us learn about the different factors that affect the freezing point.

Mention the major factors that affect the freezing point of a substance?

The major factors that alter the freezing point of a substance are listed below,

Temperature: Higher the freezing temperature, the higher will be the intermolecular force.
If the melting point is more, simultaneously, even the freezing point will be more.
Vapour pressure plays an important factor.
The chemical composition of a substance is taken into consideration.

These are some of the important attributes that affect the freezing point.

Frequently Asked Questions | FAQs

Which type of intermolecular force has the highest freezing point?

There are several types of intermolecular force that helps the molecules to stay together and form a substance.

The main intermolecular force that is strongest and has the highest freezing point is hydrogen bonding. The compounds that have hydrogen bonding usually have higher freezing points. For example, we can take ethanol; the hydrogen bonding is strongest and even has a high freezing point.

List some of the factors that affect the freezing point of a substance?

The main factors that always affect the intermolecular forces of the substances are listed below,

If any liquid substance has a very strong intermolecular force, then its freezing point will be more.
If the substance has a very weak intermolecular attraction in the same case, then it is considered that its freezing point is low.

Mention the relationship between melting point and intermolecular forces of a substance?

Even the electronegativity of a substance acts as an important factor in relating the melting point and intermolecular forces.

If the melting point of a substance is higher, its intermolecular attraction will be more and requires excess energy for the stronger intermolecular forces. The case is reversed if the melting point is very low.

What changes occur in intermolecular forces when freezing starts?

The arrangement of molecules formed through intermolecular force in a substance changes when the freezing process starts.

The temperature of a compound reduces when the process of freezing begins. The movement of molecules reduces their speed. At this point, intermolecular forces come into action and help the molecules arrange themselves in such an order and appear in a solid-state.

Name one factor that increases the freezing point of a substance?

The freezing point is an essential physical process that involves changing physical appearance from liquid to solid.

One of the important factors that increase the freezing point is the intermolecular forces of a particular substance. Since the substance is made up of numerous molecules, it can determine the freezing point based on the composition.

List out the major types of intermolecular forces?

The four essential and major classes of intermolecular forces that keep all the molecules together in a substance without departing are shown below,

Substances that have an ionic bond
Hydrogen bonding
Vanderwaals or weak dipole-dipole interactions, and the last one is
Vanderwaals dispersion forces.

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Raghavi Acharya

I am Raghavi Acharya, I have completed my post-graduation in physics with a specialization in the field of condensed matter physics. I have always considered Physics to be a captivating area of study and I enjoy exploring the various fields of this subject. In my free time, I engage myself in digital art. My articles are aimed towards delivering the concepts of physics in a very simplified manner to the readers.