Question

why is iodine is a solid at STP but chlorine is a gas at STP? explain in terms of intermolecular forces.

Answer 1

Iodine is a solid at STP (standard room temperature and pressure) as the intermolecular forces between the iodide compound is strongly held by bonds such as electrostatic forces of attraction if its a ionic compound. Therefore STP is so sufficient enough to breakthrough these bonds hence its a solid. However, chlorine’s a gas as its intermolecular bonds are weak, and STP is strong enough to break these bonds of where chlorine is a gas


NOTE: they should really give you a compound so you can identify between covalent and ionic bonds and talk about it in more depth