Question

Oxygen is a gas but sulphur is solid at room temperature, why?

Answer 1

Oxygen occurs as O2 molecule due to pπ-pπ bonding because of which the intermolecular forces in it are weak van der Waals forces as it is small in size with high electron density which tend to repel the other O2 molecules. As a result it exists as gas.

On the other hand, sulphur does not form strong S=S double bonds hence exists as S8 held together by strong covalent bonds and exists as a polyatomic molecule, in which intermolecular forces are strong so, it exists as a solid.

Answer 2

because like oxygen sulphur does not form S=S double bond.hence sulphur have strong intermolecular forces and exist as solid at room temperature but oxygen have weak intermolecular forces and exist as gas at room temperatue