Answer to Question #152254 in General Chemistry for Tanisha

Question

1.     Rank the following substances from lowest to highest boiling point. Identify the type of intermolecular forces that exist for each and explain the role intermolecular forces play in the boiling points.

CO₂                             H₂O                             CO

Answer 1

$CO<<CO_2<<H_2O$

the intermolecular forces between H2O molecules is the hydrogen bond which is a very strong bond, making water have the highest boiling point

the intermolecular forces between CO2 molecules is the dispersion forces and CO2 has more electrons compared to compounds like CO. This means that CO2 has a much larger electron cloud, so its more easily polarised and thus, the ease of forming instataneous dipole-induced dipole bonds (well induced quadruple moment) increases.

Even though CO is a polar molecule and it forms permanent dipole-permanent dipole bonds, the id-id bonds are stronger in CO2