Question

What forces typically hold nonmetal atoms together within a molecule?

Answer 1

Typically this force is a covalent bond, a region of high electron density between 2 positively charged nuclei such that internuclear repulsion is negated, and a net attractive force results.

Explanation:

Chemists routinely speak of intermolecular forces, the forces BETWEEN molecules, and intramolecular forces, the forces within molecules, which typically are covalent bonds.

Intermolecular forces may consist of H-bonding, dipole-dipole, or dispersion forces. You must remember to distinguish these, the forces BETWEEN molecules, and the (stronger) attractive forces between atoms within molecules.