What is the primary characteristic of dipole-dipole forces?

Dipole-dipole forces are primarily characterized by the attraction between the positive end of one polar molecule and the negative end of another polar molecule. This type of intermolecular force occurs due to the permanent dipoles that exist in polar molecules, resulting from differences in electronegativity between atoms. When two polar molecules approach each other, the positive pole of one will attract the negative pole of the other, creating a stable interaction.

This characteristic is fundamental in understanding the behavior of polar substances, including their boiling and melting points, solubility, and overall interactions in various chemical processes. The strength of dipole-dipole interactions is significant enough to influence the physical properties of compounds, making them crucial for studying molecular interactions in chemistry.