If the distance the pepper flakes moved were a measure of the strength of the intermolecular force, would you say the effect was stronger or weaker in hand sanitizer compared to soap

In the given case, the pepper flakes are considered virus particles. One of the applications of the principle of "like dissolves like" is the behavior of hand sanitizers and soaps. The polar molecules like alcohols comprise -OH as the functional groups, which are fascinated towards the water, thus, producing robust intermolecular associations. In comparison, the nonpolar molecules like fats and oils, proteins comprise hydrocarbon groups, which are hydrophobic to water.

The active constituents of both hand sanitizers and soaps show the features of both nonpolar and polar regions in their molecular compositions. As a consequence, part of the molecule is fascinated by water, while some parts are attracted towards organic molecules like fats and proteins.

The virus particles are enveloped with different kinds of proteins and fats, so when soaps and hand sanitizers come in contact with the virus, the nonpolar regions of sanitizers and soaps get fascinated towards the coating, and efficiently pulls apart the virus composition.

In the given case, one can model the principle by assuming pepper flakes as virus particles, which are coated with fats and proteins, and thus are insoluble in water. After this, one can simultaneously see the effect of soaps and sanitizers by using them one by one.