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Which of the following molecules cannot form hydrogen bonds with an identical molecule?

1) Water (H₂O)
2) Ammonia (NH₃)
3) Methane (CH₄)
4) Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂)

User Bummzack
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Final answer:

Methane (CH₄) cannot form hydrogen bonds with another methane molecule because it does not have a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The molecule that cannot form hydrogen bonds with an identical molecule from the list provided is methane (CH₄). Hydrogen bonding requires a hydrogen atom that is covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom such as oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), or fluorine (F). The electronegative atom pulls electron density away from the hydrogen, creating a significant difference in charge that facilitates the hydrogen bond.

Water (H₂O), ammonia (NH₃), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) all have hydrogen atoms covalently bonded to an electronegative oxygen or nitrogen, and thus, can form hydrogen bonds. Methane, however, consists of a carbon atom bonded to hydrogen atoms and lacks the electronegative atom required for hydrogen bonding.

User Maniac
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