Question

place the following compounds in order of increasing strength of intermolecular forces (weakest first, strongest last). ch3cl ch4 ch3ch3 ch3oh ch3cl ch3oh < ch4 < ch3ch3 < ch3cl ch3oh < ch3cl < ch4 < ch3ch3 ch3oh < ch3cl < ch3ch3 < ch4 ch3ch3 < ch4 < ch3cl < ch3oh ch4 < ch3ch3 < ch3cl < ch3oh ch3cl < ch4 < ch3ch3 < ch3oh

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze intermolecular forces of $CH_4$

$CH_4$ is non - polar, has only London dispersion forces. It has a small molar mass, so weak London forces.

Step2: Analyze intermolecular forces of $CH_3CH_3$

$CH_3CH_3$ is non - polar, has London dispersion forces. Larger molar mass than $CH_4$, so stronger London forces than $CH_4$.

Step3: Analyze intermolecular forces of $CH_3Cl$

$CH_3Cl$ is polar, has dipole - dipole forces in addition to London dispersion forces. Dipole - dipole forces are stronger than London dispersion forces for similar molar - mass molecules.

Step4: Analyze intermolecular forces of $CH_3OH$

$CH_3OH$ has hydrogen bonding (due to O - H bond), in addition to London dispersion and dipole - dipole forces. Hydrogen bonding is the strongest of these intermolecular forces.

Answer:

$CH_4 < CH_3CH_3 < CH_3Cl < CH_3OH$