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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Atome on November 05, 2007, 03:06:30 PM

Title: Diatomic elements as gases at room temperature
Post by: Atome on November 05, 2007, 03:06:30 PM

Hello everyone,

1. Diatomic elements (such as oxygen, nitrogen, and chlorine) tend to exist a room temperature as gases. Explain why this is true using your understanding of bonding.

I am having trouble answering this question. I know that diatomic elements merely consist of covalent bonds between certain nonmetals.

I would appreciate any help. Thank you very much!

Title: Re: Diatomic elements as gases at room temperature
Post by: constant thinker on November 05, 2007, 08:27:26 PM

Think about the forces that hold solids/liquids together. (dipole-dipole, dispersion forces, etc.)

Also consider the trend of melting temperatures for covalent and ionic compounds. Which type tends to have a higher melting point?

Title: Re: Diatomic elements as gases at room temperature
Post by: Atome on November 05, 2007, 08:55:33 PM

Thanks for your reply, constant thinker.

In gases, the intermolecular force is rather weak because gas particles are freer than liquid and solid particles. Covalent compounds would have a lower melting point.

Would the answer be because the intermolecular forces of diatomic molecules are too weak so diatomic molecules are gases at room temperature?

Title: Re: Diatomic elements as gases at room temperature
Post by: constant thinker on November 07, 2007, 08:25:07 PM

That answer sounds fine for a High School course.