Arrange the following in order of increasing melting point: NaCl, H₂O, CH₄, C₆H₄(OH)₂. A) NaCl

Question

Arrange the following in order of increasing melting point: NaCl, H₂O, CH₄, C₆H₄(OH)₂. A) NaCl < H₂O < CH₄ < C₆H₄(OH)₂ B) CH₄ < H₂O < NaCl < C₆H₄(OH)₂ C) CH₄ < H₂O < C₆H₄(OH)₂ < NaCl D) CH₄ < C₆H₄(OH)₂ < H₂O < NaCl E) CH₄ < NaCl < C₆H₄(OH)₂ < H₂O

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The melting point of a compound depends on its intermolecular forces, which are determined by the nature and strength of the interactions between its constituent particles. NaCl is an ionic compound, and its melting point is high due to strong electrostatic attractions between oppositely charged ions. H₂O is a covalent compound with some hydrogen bonding, which is weaker than ionic bonding, and its melting point will be lower than NaCl. CH₄ is also a covalent compound, but with weaker intermolecular forces than H₂O, and hence its melting point will be lower than H₂O. C₆H₄(OH)₂ is a covalent compound with strong intermolecular forces, including hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole interactions, and hence it will have the highest melting point among the given compounds. Therefore, the correct order of increasing melting point is: NaCl < H₂O < CH₄ < C₆H₄(OH)₂, which is option C.

Arrange the Following in Order of Increasing Melting Point: NaCl