Question

Which statement explains why H₂O has a higher

boiling point than N₂? novanjedang as
A) H₂O has stronger intermolecular forces then N₂
B) H₂O has less molar mass than N₂.
C) H₂O has weaker intermolecular forces than N₂.
D) H2O has greater molar mass than N₂

Answer 1

Water (H₂O) has a higher boiling point than nitrogen (N₂) due to the strong hydrogen bonds between water molecules, which are significantly stronger than the London dispersion forces that dominate in nitrogen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that explains why H₂O has a higher boiling point than N₂ is that H₂O has stronger intermolecular forces than N₂. Specifically, water (H₂O) exhibits hydrogen bonding due to the presence of H atoms bonded to the highly electronegative O atom.

These hydrogen bonds are much stronger than the primarily London dispersion forces present in diatomic nitrogen (N₂), leading to a much higher boiling point for water.

This difference in intermolecular forces is dramatic; if water only exhibited London dispersion forces, its estimated boiling point would be approximately -130°C instead of its actual boiling point of 100°C.