Answer to Question #121205 in General Chemistry for Anna

Question

Do formic acid and carbon dioxide exhibit different physical properties at 280K? If yes, comment on these differences in view of intermolecular forces.

Answer 1

At 280 K carbon dioxide is a gas and formic acid is liquid.

Dipole dipole is strong enough to keep the molecules in contact with each other, making  formic acid a liquid at 280K. The attraction between molecules of CO₂ is substantially weaker, so this compound is a gas.