Explain which molecule has the highest boilng point HCL, water ot CH4?

HCl, due to chlorine electronegativity, is a polar molecule. This causes dipole-dipole interactions between molecules that need to be overcome for the molecules to boil. Water also has dipole interactions between its molecules. Also, water forms hydrogen bonding between adjacent molecules. Hydrogen reacts with the highly electronegative oxygen on the other molecule. This is a strong type of interaction and requires more energy than dipole-dipole interactions. Hence, water has higher boiling point than HCL. As to the methane, it is a non-poplar molecule. The electronegativity difference between carbon and hydrogen is not big enough to form a polar molecule. The forces present are London forces, which are the result of the movement of electrons. London forces are the weakest than dipole and hydrogen bonding, therefore methane has the lowest boiling point.

Answered by Julia Ż. Chemistry tutor

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