State and explain the trend in melting points of diamond, iodine and hydrogen fluoride.

Diamond is covalently bonded and has a giant covalent structure. Covalent bonds require lots of energy to break as they are strong so diamond has the highest melting point. Iodine has only weak intermolecular forces (instantaneous dipole-dipole interactions or London forces) whereas hydrogen fluoride has a permanent dipole and can hydrogen bond (as well as having London forces). Hydrogen bonding and permanent dipoles are stronger than Londer forces so more energy is needed to overcome them, therefore hydrogen fluoride has a higher melting point than iodine. Diamond has the highest melting point as bonds have to be broken whereas iodine and hydrogen fluoride are simple covalent molecules so they are held together by the intermolecular forces.

Answered by Ceri F. Chemistry tutor

16157 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

When composing a mechanism in organic chemistry, how do I use curly arrows?


Construct expressions for pH, Kw and Gibbs Free energy


Explain why water has a higher boiling point than hydrogen iodide.


What is meant by the term optical isomerism?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences