Question

question 4 / 10
water has a boiling point of 100.c, while methane (ch4) has a boiling point of -161.5.c, despite having similar molecular weights. what does this indicate?
a. water is an ionic compound while methane is covalent.
b. the attractions between water molecules are much stronger than those between methane molecules.
c. methane molecules are significantly heavier than water molecules.
d. the covalent bonds inside a single methane molecule are stronger than the bonds inside a water molecule.

Explanation:

Boiling point is related to intermolecular forces. Water has hydrogen - bonding (a strong intermolecular force), while methane has weak London - dispersion forces. Stronger intermolecular forces mean higher boiling points. Water and methane are both covalent compounds. The mass difference is not significant as stated in the problem, and the question is about intermolecular forces not intramolecular bond strength.

Answer:

B. The attractions between water molecules are much stronger than those between methane molecules.