Question

X and Y are two imaginary substances. The molecules of substance X have very powerful electric forces between them. The molecules of substance Y have almost no electrical forces linking them. Which boils at a higher temperature?

A) X
B) It’s impossible to know
C) Y
D) Both X and Y have the same boiling temperature.

Answer 1

Substance X, with its powerful electric forces, has stronger intermolecular forces than substance Y with almost no electrical forces. As a result, X requires more energy to boil and thus has a higher boiling point than Y.

Step-by-step explanation:

The boiling point of a substance correlates to the strength of the intermolecular forces present within the substance. In this scenario, substance X, which has very powerful electric forces between its molecules, would have stronger intermolecular forces compared to substance Y, which has almost no electrical forces linking its molecules. Therefore, substance X would require more energy to overcome these forces for the molecules to enter the gas phase, resulting in a higher boiling point.

Considering that both enthalpies of fusion and vaporization are higher for substances with strong intermolecular interactions, we can infer that substance X, with its powerful electrical forces, will have a higher enthalpy of vaporization and consequently a higher boiling point than substance Y. So, the correct answer is A) X boils at a higher temperature than Y.