Question

Do liquid methane lakes on Titan undergo low or high molecular attraction (and possibly why)?

a) Low molecular attraction because of the relatively weak Van der Waals forces between methane molecules.
b) High molecular attraction due to the strong covalent bonds in methane.
c) Low molecular attraction because of the high temperatures on Titan.
d) High molecular attraction due to the high pressure on Titan.

Answer 1

Methane lakes on Titan experience low molecular attraction due to weak Van der Waals forces between the methane molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

The liquid methane lakes on Titan undergo low molecular attraction. This is because methane molecules, which are hydrocarbons, experience relatively weak Van der Waals forces between them. Van der Waals forces are the weakest type of intermolecular force and occur due to transient electric dipole moments which can induce attraction between neutral molecules. The covalent bonds that hold the hydrogen and carbon atoms together within a methane molecule (CH4) are strong, but these are intramolecular forces, not intermolecular. The properties of methane and ethane lakes on Titan are influenced by the moon's low temperatures and atmospheric composition, which contains nitrogen and methane, leading to complex organic compounds known as tholins.