intermolecular forces
nounUK /ˌɪntəməˈlekjʊlə ˈfɔːsɪz/
US /ˌɪntərˈmɛkjələr ˈfɔrsɪz/
The pulls and pushes between tiny bits of stuff that hold them together or keep them apart.
Intermolecular forces make water droplets stick together on a leaf.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The weak attractions that make liquids and solids hold their shape.
Intermolecular forces keep the molecules in a solid close together.
3. The forces that cause molecules to stick to each other rather than to fly apart.
Without intermolecular forces, water would turn into gas very easily.
4. The interactions that affect how thick or sticky a liquid is.
Stronger intermolecular forces make honey flow more slowly than water.