Final answer:
A low melting point suggests that the intermolecular forces in a substance are weak, as it requires less energy to transition from solid to liquid. Stronger intermolecular forces, on the other hand, lead to higher melting points.
Step-by-step explanation:
A low melting point indicates that the intermolecular forces holding the molecules together in a solid are relatively weak. The melting point is the temperature at which a solid changes into a liquid, and it is largely determined by the strength of these forces. For example, it takes much less energy to overcome the intermolecular attractions in a substance with low melting point than to break the stronger intramolecular forces found within molecules.
Intermolecular forces, while generally weaker than intramolecular forces such as covalent bonds, have a significant impact on a substance's physical properties, including melting points. Substances with strong intermolecular forces, such as ionic compounds, typically have high melting points, while those with weaker intermolecular forces, like molecular compounds, often have lower melting points. Therefore, a low melting point can serve as an indicator of weaker intermolecular forces at play within a given substance.