Which compound has a higher boiling point and why: water (H2O) or methane (CH4)?

Water has a higher boiling point because the hydrogen bonds that form among water molecules are stronger than the Van der Waals interactions among methane molecules, thus more energy must be provided in order to break the hydrogen bonds and allow the water molecules to escape the liquid state.

MD
Answered by Maria D. Chemistry tutor

43045 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How do you deal with remembering all the knowledge required for organic chemistry questions?


Identify which 2 of the following processes involve an exothermic change: melting, boiling, freezing, deposition and sublimation


Explain why first ionisation energy decreases down a group.


Can you explain acylation?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning