which molecule would exhibit the strongest dipole - dipole interactions? select the correct answer below: o…

which molecule would exhibit the strongest dipole - dipole interactions? select the correct answer below: o ch₄ o ch₃cl o ch₂cl₂ o chcl₃

which molecule would exhibit the strongest dipole - dipole interactions? select the correct answer below: o ch₄ o ch₃cl o ch₂cl₂ o chcl₃

Answer

Answer:

D. $\text{CHCl}_3$

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze molecular polarity

$\text{CH}_4$ is non - polar due to its symmetrical tetrahedral structure. The other three are polar as chlorine is more electronegative than carbon and hydrogen.

Step2: Consider dipole - moment magnitude

Dipole - dipole interactions are stronger for molecules with larger dipole moments. In $\text{CH}_3\text{Cl}$, $\text{CH}_2\text{Cl}_2$ and $\text{CHCl}_3$, the number of chlorine atoms affects the dipole moment. As the number of chlorine atoms increases, the electron - cloud distortion increases. $\text{CHCl}_3$ has the most chlorine atoms among the polar molecules here, so it has the largest dipole moment and thus the strongest dipole - dipole interactions.