Multiple Choice
Which of the following molecules has the highest boiling point at 1 atm?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Intermolecular Forces and Physical Properties
Multiple Choice
Intermolecular Forces and Physical Properties: Which substance is expected to have the highest boiling point (at 1 atm) based on intermolecular forces?
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Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the substances given: HCl, H2S, H2O, and C2H6, and recognize that boiling point depends largely on the strength of intermolecular forces present in each substance.
Recall the types of intermolecular forces: London dispersion forces (present in all molecules), dipole-dipole interactions (in polar molecules), and hydrogen bonding (a special, strong dipole-dipole interaction occurring when H is bonded to N, O, or F).
Analyze each substance's intermolecular forces: HCl is polar with dipole-dipole forces; H2S is polar but with weaker dipole-dipole forces; H2O has strong hydrogen bonding due to H-O bonds; C2H6 is nonpolar and only has London dispersion forces.
Compare the strength of these forces: hydrogen bonding in H2O is stronger than dipole-dipole in HCl and H2S, and all are stronger than London dispersion forces in C2H6.
Conclude that the substance with the strongest intermolecular forces (H2O with hydrogen bonding) will have the highest boiling point at 1 atm.
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