London Dispersion Forces

Definition

Weak, transient attractions between molecules that hold refrigerants together far more loosely than hydrogen bonds hold water.

Because refrigerants are held by London dispersion forces rather than hydrogen bonds, they need little energy to vaporize and condense and do so at very low temperatures. This contrast with water’s hydrogen bonding explains why refrigerants change phase readily while water resists phase change so stubbornly.

Related concepts

Dipole-Dipole Interactions · Latent Heat of Vaporization · Refrigerant

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry