The main reason why carbon tetrabromide is a solid at room temperature when compared to carbon tetrachloride which is a liquid is because ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The boiling point and melting point of compounds are largely determined by the strength of the intermolecular forces between the molecules. Carbon tetrabromide has stronger intermolecular forces (specifically, dipole-dipole and London dispersion forces) than carbon tetrachloride because larger bromine atoms induce stronger temporary dipoles in neighboring molecules. This results in a higher boiling point and melting point, making carbon tetrabromide a solid at room temperature while carbon tetrachloride is a liquid. The shape and potential for hydrogen bonding do not play significant roles in this comparison.

The Main Reason Why Carbon Tetrabromide Is a Solid at Room