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Multiple Choice
Which type of intermolecular force is the strongest in a sample of solid MgCl_2?
A
Hydrogen bonding
B
Dipole-dipole interactions
C
London dispersion forces
D
Ionic bonding
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Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the nature of the compound: MgCl_2 is an ionic compound composed of Mg^{2+} cations and Cl^{-} anions.
Recall the types of intermolecular forces: hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, London dispersion forces, and ionic bonding.
Understand that ionic bonding occurs between oppositely charged ions and is generally much stronger than the other intermolecular forces, which occur between neutral molecules.
Since MgCl_2 is a solid ionic compound, the strongest forces holding the sample together are ionic bonds between Mg^{2+} and Cl^{-} ions.
Therefore, the strongest intermolecular force in solid MgCl_2 is ionic bonding, not hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole, or London dispersion forces.