Why is water (H₂O) a liquid at room temperature while methane (CH₄) is a gas? A) Water forms hydrogen bonds and methane only forms dispersion forces. B) Water forms dispersion forces and methane forms hydrogen bonds. C) Water has a higher molecular weight than methane. D) Methane has a higher molecular weight than water. E) Methane has more atoms than water.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Water forms stronger intermolecular hydrogen bonds while methane only forms weaker dispersion forces. This leads to water having a higher boiling point and existing as a liquid at room temperature, while methane exists as a gas. The other choices (C, D, E) are not relevant to the intermolecular forces that determine the physical state of substances.

Why Is Water (H2O) a Liquid at Room Temperature While

Why Is Water (H₂O) a Liquid at Room Temperature While