What distinguishes HF, H_2O, and CH_4 in terms of intermolecular force?

1 Answer
anor277
Aug 22, 2016

Water has the lowest vapour pressure, the highest viscosity, and the lowest vapour pressure.

Explanation:

These characters can be attributed to the degree of intermolecular forces that operate in each substance. Methane, a room temperature gas, with relatively non-polar C-H bonds, has the least degree of intermolecular interaction, even thout the individual C-H bonds are strong.

Hydrogen fluoride and water can both support extensive hydrogen bonding due to the polarization of the H-X bond and the alignment of dipoles between molecules. This intermolecular force accounts for the elevated boiling points of HF (19.5 ""^@C) and water, in comparison to the lower Group analogues.

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