Explain why the boiling point of PH3 is lower than the boiling point of AsH3

AsH3 is a larger molecule than PH3 as As is lower down the periodic table, so has a higher atomic number so more electrons. Therefore AsH3 has more electrons than PH3 meaning that the instantaneous dipole produced by AsH3 is greater. Therefore the induced dipoles on neighbouring molecules are greater, so the London forces are stronger than in PH3. Therefore more energy is required to overcome the intermolecular forces between the molecules.

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Answered by Freya O. Chemistry tutor

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