Final answer:
Water has a higher melting point than chlorine and oxygen due to the presence of hydrogen bonding in water molecules, which forms a strong network of interactions. Chlorine and oxygen, being nonpolar molecules, have weaker intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces, resulting in lower melting points for these substances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water has a higher melting point than chlorine and oxygen due to its intermolecular forces. In water, hydrogen bonding occurs between the oxygen of one water molecule and the hydrogen of another, forming a network of strong interactions. These hydrogen bonds require more energy to break, resulting in a higher melting point for water. On the other hand, chlorine and oxygen are nonpolar molecules, so they have weaker intermolecular forces such as London dispersion forces. These forces are easily overcome, leading to lower melting points for chlorine and oxygen.
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