What is the Difference Between Van der Waals and Hydrophobic Interactions?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Van der Waals interactions and hydrophobic interactions are two different types of intermolecular forces. The key difference between them lies in their origin and the nature of the forces involved.
Van der Waals interactions:
- These interactions arise from the temporary dipoles that occur due to random movement of electrons in the atomic shells of molecules.
- They are instantaneous and can induce dipoles in nearby molecules, leading to weak attractions.
- Van der Waals forces are generally considered attractive forces between non-polar molecules.
Hydrophobic interactions:
- These interactions are the result of the disruption of hydrogen bonds between water molecules when non-hydrogen bonding surfaces, such as oil, are introduced.
- Hydrophobic interactions are primarily repulsion forces between water molecules and other molecules.
- They are relatively stronger than other weak intermolecular forces, such as Van der Waals interactions or hydrogen bonds.
In summary, Van der Waals interactions are weak attractive forces between non-polar molecules due to temporary dipoles, while hydrophobic interactions are repulsion forces between water molecules and other molecules resulting from the disruption of hydrogen bonds in water.
Comparative Table: Van der Waals vs Hydrophobic Interactions
Van der Waals interactions and hydrophobic interactions are two different types of chemical bonds. Here is a comparison between the two:
| Van der Waals Interactions | Hydrophobic Interactions |
|---|---|
| Weak chemical bonds between non-polar molecules | Repulsion forces between water molecules and other molecules |
| Type of noncovalent bond | Relatively stronger than other weak intermolecular forces (e.g., Van der Waals interactions or hydrogen bonds) |
| Occur due to instantaneous and induced dipoles | Occur due to the disruption of hydrogen bonds between water molecules |
| Present in all molecules | Depend on factors such as temperature, number of carbons on the hydrophobes, and the shape of the hydrophobes |
In summary, Van der Waals interactions are weak chemical bonds between non-polar molecules, while hydrophobic interactions are repulsion forces between water molecules and other molecules. Van der Waals interactions occur due to instantaneous and induced dipoles, whereas hydrophobic interactions arise from the disruption of hydrogen bonds between water molecules.
- Van der Waals vs Hydrogen Bonds
- Dipole Dipole Interactions vs Hydrogen Bonding
- Hydrophilic vs Hydrophobic
- Ideal Gas Law vs Van der Waals Equation
- Hydrophobic vs Superhydrophobic
- Critical Constant vs Van der Waals Constant
- Intermolecular Forces vs Intra-molecular Forces
- Intermolecular vs Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding
- Hydrogen Bond vs Covalent Bond
- Ionic vs Electrostatic Interactions
- Hydrophobic vs Hydrophilic Amino Acids
- Lipophilic vs Hydrophilic
- Hydrogen Bond vs Ionic Bond
- Covalent vs Polar Covalent
- Surface Tension vs Interfacial Tension
- Hydration vs Hydrolysis
- Dipole-Dipole vs London Dispersion Forces
- Polar vs Nonpolar
- Lyophilic vs Lyophobic Colloids