What is the dominant intermolecular force or bond that must be overcome in converting liquid CH3OH to a gas?
- Dipole-dipole interaction
- Covalent bonds
- London dispersion force
- Hydrogen bonding
Answer
(4) Hydrogen bonding
Solution
On vaporisation only the intermolecular forces are overcome; covalent bonds within the molecule are not broken.
CH3OH has an O–H group, so its molecules are linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonds (O-H O).
∵ Hydrogen bonding is much stronger than dipole-dipole and London forces in methanol,
∴ it is the dominant force to be overcome.
Answer: (4)