Chapter 13, Problem 13.21P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The intermolecular forces that stabilize a lipid bilayer are to be determined.

Concept introduction:

The intermolecular forces are the forces that act between molecules, atoms or ions. They are relatively weak forces of attraction. These are of six types as hydrogen bonding, ion-dipole forces, ion-induced dipole forces, dipole-dipole, dipole-induced dipole and dispersion forces.

Ion-dipole: Ion-dipole forces are the attractive forces that exist between an ion and a polar molecule.

Hydrogen bond: Hydrogen bonding is the attractive forces that exist between the molecule with a hydrogen atom bonded to an electronegative atom like fluorine, nitrogen, and oxygen of one molecule and an electronegative atom of another molecule.

Dipole-dipole: Dipole-dipole is the attractive forces that exist between two polar molecules that have a permanent dipole.

Ion-induced dipole: Ion-induced dipole is the attractive forces that exist between the ion and a nonpolar molecule.

Dipole-induced dipole: Dipole-induced dipole is the attractive forces that exist between a polar and a nonpolar molecule.

Dispersion forces: In dispersion forces, a temporary dipole is generated on one molecule that further induces a temporary dipole on the molecule adjacent to it. The temporary dipole results in the attraction between opposite charges and dispersion forces exist in the molecule. All the atoms and molecules exhibit dispersion forces.