👉 Atomic pimples, also known as van der Waals forces or dispersion forces, are weak intermolecular attractions that occur between atoms or molecules due to temporary fluctuations in electron distribution. These fluctuations create transient dipoles, which can induce dipoles in neighboring atoms or molecules, leading to a weak but significant attraction. This phenomenon is particularly important in non-polar substances where there are no permanent dipoles, such as noble gases, hydrocarbons, and many organic compounds. Atomic pimples are responsible for the cohesive forces that hold molecules together in these substances, influencing properties like boiling points and melting points, but they are generally much weaker than covalent or ionic bonds.
