Intermolecular forces are the forces of attraction or repulsion which act between neighboring particles (atoms, molecules, or ions ). These forces are weak compared to the intramolecular forces, such as the covalent or ionic bonds between atoms in a molecule.
Importance:
Intermolecular forces are important because they determine the physical properties of substances. Many of the life-sustaining properties of water such as its high heat capacity are a result of the hydrogen bonding capabilities it has and are thus due to intermolecular forces.
