Why is the boiling point of methane higher than neon?

Answer 1

Chloromethane has a permanent dipole because of the chlorine molecule attached to the carbon, which means the chlorine has a partial negative charge while the carbon has a partial positive charge. These charges allow certain molecules of chloromethane to be "attracted" to other chloromethane molecules' oppositely charged regions (dipole-dipole interactions). These attractive intermolecular forces hold the molecules together and need to be broken in order for chloromethane to reach its boiling point, which requires a greater input of energy (heat).

In comparison, ethane only has the weakest intermolecular interactions holding the molecules together (van der Waals attractive forces / London forces). London forces are weak compared to dipole-dipole interactions and so less energy (heat) is required to break the bonds.

The result is that chloromethane has a higher boiling point than ethane because more heat is required to break the intermolecular bonds between chloromethane than is required to break the bonds between ethane.

Answer 2

Because ethanol is a polar molecule AND capable of hydrogen bonding (by C2H5-OH, an asymetric hydroxyl group) resulting in stronger intermolecular forces, it has a higher boiling point than methoxymethane.

Methoxymethane is less polar (symetrical H3C-O-CH3, though slightly bent) AND does not have a hydroxyl group, thus no hydrogen bonds between molecules.

Answer 3

The boiling point of methane is NOT higher, but lower than of propane (about 119 degrees lower), as can be seen from the table below:

Methane: Bp. −161 °C, 112 K

Propane: Bp. -42.1, 231.1 K

Answer 4

Both compounds are straight chained alkanes. (General formula CnH2n-2)

The general rule is the bigger the molecule in a group of similar compounds the higher boiling point it has. Methane is C1, butane is C4 - much bigger.

Answer 5

The boiling points of substances depend on the strength of the intermolecular forces between their molecules. Methane molecules are attracted to each other through relatively stronger dispersion forces compared to the very weak van der Waals forces in neon. This results in methane having a higher boiling point than neon.

Answer 6

This is because methane is more stable or happier than ethane. It has a shorter carbon chain and less branching making it the harder one to boil.

Answer 7

The intermolecular forces in neon are weaker than those in methane

Answer 8

Boiling point of ethanol is higher than its isomer methane due to the presence of hydrogen bond in ethanol

Answer 9

no