Water molecules are held together by hydrogen bonding, which is a very strong intermolecular force. Each water molecule is polar because the oxygen has a partial negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms have a partial positive charge. ... The presence of the hydrogen bonds thus elevates the boiling point of water. read more
Water has a high boiling point because its molecules are bound together by hydrogen bonding, which is a very strong intermolecular force. It takes more kinetic energy, or a higher temperature, to break the hydrogen bonding between water molecules, thus allowing them to escape as steam. read more
The weak intermolecular bonds in liquids and solids are therefore often called van der Waals forces. These forces can be divided into three categories: (1) dipole-dipole, (2) dipole-induced dipole, and (3) induced dipole-induced dipole. read more
Just like in water, this bond between oxygen and hydrogen is partially negative at the oxygen end and partially positive at the hydrogen end. Hydrogen Bonding In a solution of water and ethanol, hydrogen bonding is the strongest intermolecular force between molecules. read more