Is Cyclohexane an Ionic, Molecular Nonpolar, or Molecular Polar Compound? What Intermolecular Forces Are Present?

Cyclohexane is a molecular nonpolar compound. This means that it consists of molecules that do not have a significant charge separation, which is characteristic of polar compounds.

The molecular structure of cyclohexane consists of six carbon atoms arranged in a ring, with hydrogen atoms attached to each carbon. Due to the symmetrical arrangement of the carbon and hydrogen atoms, the charge distribution across the molecule is even, which results in its nonpolar nature.

The predominant intermolecular forces present in cyclohexane are London dispersion forces (or van der Waals forces). These forces arise due to instantaneous dipoles that occur when electrons move around the nuclei of the atoms. Although these forces are relatively weak compared to other types of intermolecular forces, they are significant in nonpolar compounds like cyclohexane.

In summary, cyclohexane is a molecular nonpolar compound with London dispersion forces as its primary intermolecular force.

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