What does the strength of London dispersion forces depend on?

The strength of London dispersion forces is primarily influenced by the number of electrons within an atom or molecule. As the number of electrons increases, the electron cloud becomes more polarizable, leading to stronger temporary dipoles. These temporary dipoles create an attractive force between molecules, enhancing the strength of London dispersion forces.

While larger molecules, which generally have more electrons, also show stronger dispersion forces, it is the number of electrons specifically that contributes to the polarizability related to these forces. Larger size can imply more electrons, but the key factor is their presence and polarizability, not merely the physical size of the molecule or atom itself.

The type of atom present can influence the nature of the forces in a broader context but does not directly determine the strength of London dispersion forces. Temperature can affect kinetic energy and the dynamics of molecular interactions, but it does not alter the fundamental strength of the dispersion forces as determined by electron configuration.