Which type of bonding is characterized by weak Van der Waals forces?

The characteristic of weak Van der Waals forces is an essential aspect of secondary bonding. These forces arise from temporary dipoles that occur when electron clouds in atoms fluctuate. Unlike primary bonds such as covalent and ionic bonding, which involve the sharing or transferring of electrons and result in much stronger connections between atoms or molecules, secondary bonding is comparatively weak. This type of bonding plays a crucial role in influencing the properties of materials, particularly in molecular substances where these interactions can affect boiling points, melting points, and overall physical properties.

Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms and results in strong structures due to the stability conferred by the shared electrons. Ionic bonding arises from the electrostatic attraction between positively and negatively charged ions, leading to strong interactions that form crystal lattice structures. Metallic bonding occurs when metal atoms share a "sea" of delocalized electrons, contributing to properties like electrical conductivity and malleability. All these bonding types are much stronger than Van der Waals forces, highlighting the unique role of secondary bonding in the context of material behavior.