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Like the name suggests, intermolecular forces are those between molecules and can be forces of attraction between permanent dipoles or temporary dipoles. However, it seems that the definition of van der Waals forces is slightly ambiguous, with various sources giving me various definitions.

Are van der Waals forces the same thing? Or are they a subset of intermolecular forces that don't include a particular type of intermolecular force like the Keesom interaction? Or does it depend on the context?

I am looking for a definite answer to what the difference is between van der Waals forces and intermolecular forces or if they really are the same thing?

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Van der Waals forces is one of the intermolecular forces besides hydrogen bond and ionic bond,.... but the only difference is that it is a weak force. The Van der Waals forces include London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and dipole-induced dipole interactions,induced dipole-induced dipole forces.

You can take help from a few of the resources I found on web that you may find convenient

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermolecular_force

https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/General_Chemistry/Map%3A_Chemistry_-_The_Central_Science_(Brown_et_al.)/11%3A_Liquids_and_Intermolecular_Forces/11.02%3A_Intermolecular_Forces

https://www.savemyexams.com/dp/chemistry/sl/25/revision-notes/models-of-bonding-and-structure/the-covalent-model/intermolecular-forces/

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