Humber Admissions Practice Test

What can be attributed to strong intermolecular forces?

1. High boiling points of substances

2. No effect on physical properties

3. Decrease in molecular weight

4. Lack of solubility

The correct answer is: High boiling points of substances

High boiling points of substances can indeed be attributed to strong intermolecular forces. When molecules are held together by strong intermolecular attractions, a significant amount of energy is required to overcome these forces in order to transition from the liquid phase to the gas phase. This results in higher boiling points compared to substances with weaker intermolecular interactions. For example, water (H2O) has strong hydrogen bonds, which contribute to its relatively high boiling point compared to other similar-sized molecules that do not engage in such strong attractive forces. In essence, the stronger the intermolecular forces, the more heat energy is necessary to vaporize the substance, leading to an elevated boiling point. This relationship highlights the direct impact that the nature of intermolecular forces has on physical properties like boiling point.