Molecular forces in carbon compounds

[Aswathy]

It is true that inter-molecular forces within carbon compounds is small.And that intra-molecular forces within these covalently bonded compounds is much stronger. Why does this happens so? Give reasons in each case

Edited February 24, 2012 by Aswathy

[timo]

Consider a set of carbon atoms. Why do you call subsets of this set "molecules" in the first place?

[swansont]

!

Moderator Note

"Give reasons in each case" makes this sound like HW. Moved

[Suxamethonium]

I think the question is maybe talking about interactions other than covalent bonds like the orientation of molecules in respect to their individual functional groups. Why for example, in a lot of the simpler compounds an intra-molecular reaction is more likely than an inter-molecular reaction.

 

As it is a HW qn, I'll give you a hint. Think of what molecules have to do before they can react (molecular level) and how might this be easier to achieve in intra molecular reactions?