Question

Rank the compounds NH3, CH4, and PH3 in order of decreasing boiling point. Choices: A) NH3 > CH4 > PH3 B) CH4 > NH3 > PH3 C) NH3 > PH3 > CH4 D) CH4 > PH3 > NH3 E) PH3 > NH3 > CH4

Answer 1

Answer:

C) NH3 > PH3 > CH4

Explanation:

The boiling point of a substance depends on the nature of intermolecular interaction between the molecules of the substance. The greater the magnitude of intermolecular interaction between the molecules of the substance, the higher the boiling point of the substance.

Both NH3 and PH3 have intermolecular hydrogen bonding between their molecules. However, since nitrogen is more electronegative than phosphorus, the magnitude of intermolecular hydrogen bonding in NH3 is greater than in PH3 hence NH3 has a higher boiling point than PH3.

CH4 molecules only have weak dispersion forces between them hence they exhibit the lowest boiling point.