Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Intermolecular Forces Understanding with IMFs Cards

Abstract Intermolecular forces (IMFs) are a fundamental yet challenging topic in chemistry, as students often struggle to connect abstract concepts with observable phenomena. This study reports the development and evaluation of IMF cards, a card-based learning medium designed to integrate multiple levels of chemical representation, including definitions, diagrams, relative strengths, and molecular examples. The activity engages students in structured collaborative gameplay that promotes peer discussion and conceptual reasoning at a foundational level. The effectiveness of the cards was evaluated using a one-group pre-test–post-test design involving 53 students. The results show a statistically significant improvement in students’ understanding of intermolecular forces (p < 0.001), particularly in identifying and describing interaction types. Students also reported positive perceptions of the activity. These findings suggest that the IMF card activity may support students’ recognition and description of intermolecular forces in selected molecular systems, particularly in relation to identifying the dominant interactions between molecules.