Question

select the correct answer. how does substituting a hydrogen atom with a halogen in a hydrocarbon affect the resulting compound? a. all the single bonds in the original molecule change to double bonds. b. the boiling point of the new compound increases. c. the bonds between the carbon atoms in the molecule become weaker. d. the resulting compound is called a saturated hydrocarbon. e. the substitution allows each carbon atom to accept more than four valence electrons.

Explanation:

• Option A: Substituting H with halogen (like Cl, Br) doesn't change C - C bonds to double bonds. Hydrocarbon substitution (e.g., in alkanes) is a single - bond - preserving reaction. So A is wrong.
• Option B: Halogens have higher electronegativity and larger atomic mass than H. When H is replaced by a halogen in a hydrocarbon, the molecular mass increases, and the intermolecular forces (like dipole - dipole interactions, van der Waals forces) become stronger. Stronger intermolecular forces require more energy to break, so the boiling point increases. This is correct.
• Option C: The C - C bonds in the hydrocarbon are not affected by substituting a H with a halogen. The substitution occurs at the C - H bond, not the C - C bond. So C is wrong.
• Option D: Saturated hydrocarbons have only single C - C bonds and are bonded to H (or other single - bonded groups). When a halogen is substituted, the compound is a halo - hydrocarbon, not a saturated hydrocarbon (saturated hydrocarbons are alkanes, alkanes have only C and H). So D is wrong.
• Option E: Carbon atoms follow the octet rule and can only accept up to 8 valence electrons (4 bonds, each bond contributing 2 electrons to the carbon's valence shell). Substituting H with halogen doesn't change this; carbon still has a maximum of 4 bonds (8 valence electrons). So E is wrong.

Answer:

B. The boiling point of the new compound increases.