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

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 6

The intermolecular forces in neon are weaker than those in methane

Answer 7

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

Answer 8

no