Answer to Question #262181 in General Chemistry for MAY

Question

Explain the relation between phase transition temperatures and intermolecular attractive forces ?

Answer 1

To enter the next phase, molecules must overcome the intermolecular forces of the phase. Increasing temperature gives the molecules more kinetic energy, allowing more molecules to overcome the intermolecular forces.

At a given temperature, the greater the intermolecular interactions are, the more difficult it is to get a molecule into the next phase. Therefore,

various substances have different boiling points at the same temperature.