At room temperature, #CO_2# is a gas and #CS_2# is a liquid. Why is this reasonable?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 12, 2018

Because carbon disulfide has MANY more electrons than carbon dioxide....and besides, God wanted it that way....

Explanation:

And as chemists, as physical scientists, let's have some data. Carbon dioxide sublimes at #-78# #""^@C# and 1 atmosphere, and carbon disulfide has a normal boiling point of #46.2# #""^@C#.

Carbon disulfide has a larger, more polarizable electron cloud that makes for effective dispersion forces between molecules, and hence an elevated boiling point. The stuff still pen and inks abominably, and it is a VERY serious fire hazard in a laboratory...

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