What type of intermolecular forces are present in Cl2?

In chlorine gas (Cl₂), the primary type of intermolecular force present is London dispersion forces, also known as van der Waals forces.

Explanation: Cl₂ consists of diatomic molecules where two chlorine atoms are covalently bonded together. Since Cl₂ is a nonpolar molecule, it does not exhibit dipole-dipole interactions or hydrogen bonding. However, London dispersion forces arise due to temporary fluctuations in the electron distribution around the molecule, which creates momentary dipoles. These forces are relatively weak compared to other intermolecular forces but are significant in nonpolar molecules. As a result, the physical properties of Cl₂ are influenced mainly by these dispersion forces, which affect its boiling and melting points.