Question

How are these ordered from strongest to weakest: hydrogen bonds, covalent bonds, ionic bonds, and van der waals interactions?

Answer 1

Hint:The forces of attraction that exist between atoms in a molecule that hold them together are known as bonds. The forces of attraction are weak in some molecules and stronger in some. More force is required to break stronger bonds. To solve this we will discuss each of the bonds.

Complete answer:
We are given four bonds: hydrogen bonds, covalent bonds, ionic bonds, and van der waals interactions.
The forces of attraction that exist between atoms in a molecule that hold them together are known as bonds. The forces of attraction are weak in some molecules and stronger in some. The bond strength depends on the charges present on each ion or atom and the distance between them.
The bond formed between a highly electronegative atom attached to a hydrogen atom and a hydrogen atom of the other molecule is known as a hydrogen bond. The hydrogen atom has a partial positive charge. And to neutralize this partial positive charge hydrogen bonds are formed. Hydrogen bonds are formed by the partial electrostatic attractions between hydrogen and other atoms with lone pairs of electrons.
The bond formed between two nonmetals to form a molecule is known as a covalent bond. When a covalent bond is formed between two atoms an equal sharing of electrons is done by both the atoms. The covalent bond is formed by the overlapping of orbitals of two atoms.
The bond formed between a positively and a negatively charged ions to form an ionic compound i.e. a salt is known as an ionic bond. Ionic bonds are formed by complete transfer of electrons from a negatively charged ion to a positively charged ion. Ionic bonds are stabilised by electrostatic attraction.
The van der waals interactions are due to the virtue of the number of electrons present in an atom and its size. The van der waals interactions are the sum of attractive and repulsive forces between atoms and molecules.
Thus, we can say that the ionic bonds are the strongest because there is a direct transfer of electrons. The covalent bonds are less strong than ionic bonds because there is sharing of electrons. The hydrogen bonds are less strong than covalent bonds and the van der waals interactions are the weakest.
Thus, the order from strongest to weakest is as follows:
Ionic bonds > Covalent bonds > Hydrogen bonds > van der waals interactions.

Note:The ionic bonds are the strongest because there is a direct transfer of electrons. The covalent bonds are less strong than ionic bonds because there is sharing of electrons. The hydrogen bonds are less strong than covalent bonds and the van der waals interactions are the weakest. The easier way to determine the strength of the bonds is by determining the energy required to break the bonds. This energy is known as bond dissociation energy. The Stronger the bond dissociation energy, the stronger is the bond.