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Which of the following has the strongest intermolecular forces?

A) Xe
B) H2
C)CO2
D)CH4

User Leon Weber
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1 Answer

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Hello!

The molecule with the strongest intermolecular forces is CO₂ (Carbon Dioxide)

All the listed substances are nonpolar molecules, meaning that there isn't a dipolar moment (a difference in polarity resulting from the arrangement of atoms and electronegativity differences). Nonpolar molecules only have intermolecular interaction in the form of London dispersion forces.

London Dispersion Forces
are stronger as the molecule size is bigger, so of the listed substances the biggest is CO₂, and it has the strongest intermolecular forces. This is evidenced by the fact that this substance has the highest boiling point of them all.

Have a nice day!
User Andrew Kelly
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