Question

Select the incorrect statement from the following options.

(a) Methane and argon have weak dispersion forces so their boiling point is low

(b) Diethyl ether has a dipole moment, and the dipole-dipole forces accounts for its moderately high boiling point

(c) Water and ethanol have strong hydrogen bonding and hence they possess high boiling point

(d) Mercury has weak metallic bonding which is responsible for its low boiling point

The question was posed to me during an interview.

My query is from Boiling Point in portion Criteria of Purity and Characterisation of Materials of Engineering Chemistry I

Answer 1

The correct choice is (d) Mercury has weak metallic bonding which is responsible for its low boiling point

For explanation: Mercury has strong metallic bonding which is responsible for its high boiling point. All the other options are correct. Methane and argon have weak dispersion forces so their boiling point is low. Diethyl ether has a dipole moment, and the dipole-dipole forces accounts for its moderately high boiling point. Water and ethanol have strong hydrogen bonding and hence they possess a high boiling point.