Critical temperature for carbon dioxide and methane are 31.1°C and – 81.9°C respectively. Which of these has stronger intermolecular forces and why?
Answers
The maximum temperature is a temperature at which the gas is converted into liquid by increasing the pressure is called its critical temperature.
This means that the attractive intermolecular forces between the gas molecules are directly proportional to their critical temperature.
Critical temperature for carbon dioxide and methane are 31.1°C and - 81.9°C respectively.
Intermolecular forces are high in carbon dioxide than compared to the methane.
Therefore, carbon dioxide has high value of critical temperature.
The maximum temperature at which a gas can be converted into a liquid by an increase in pressure is called its critical temperature(Tc). This means that the intermolecular forces of attraction between the molecules of a gas are directly proportional to its critical temperature. Hence, intermolecular forces of attraction are stronger in the case of CO2.