Question

Place the following substances in order of increasing boiling point. Ne Cl2 O2

a. O2 < Cl2 < Ne
b. Cl2 < Ne < O2
c. Cl2 < O2 < Ne
d. Ne < O2 < Cl2
e. Ne < Cl2 < O2

Answer 1

Substances with increasing order of boiling point are Cl₂ < Ne < O₂.

The correct answer is option b.

The boiling point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes state from a liquid to a gas. The order of increasing boiling point is determined by the strength of the intermolecular forces between the molecules. In this case, the substances are all nonpolar molecules and the strength of the intermolecular forces is determined by the size of the molecule. Ne is the smallest molecule and has the weakest intermolecular forces, so it has the lowest boiling point. Cl₂ is the largest molecule and has the strongest intermolecular forces, so it has the highest boiling point. O₂ is intermediate in size and has intermediate intermolecular forces, so it has a boiling point between Ne and Cl₂. Therefore, the correct order is Cl₂ < Ne < O₂.The correct answer is option b.