4.1.2 Simple Molecular substances

Question 1

Simple molecules contain very strong covalent bonds but also…

Answer 1

…weak intermolecular forces between the molecules.

Question 2

What breaks when simple molecular substances boil?

Answer 2

Weak intermolecular forces.

Question 3

As molecular mass increases, what does the strength of the weak intermolecular forces do? What does the boiling point do?

Answer 3

As molecular mass increases, the strength of the weak intermolecular forces increase. The boiling point also increases because more energy is needed to overcome the stronger forces.

Question 4

Why is the boiling point of simple molecular substances so low?

Answer 4

Simple molecular substances do not have a giant structure, they have a simple one. Simple molecular substances are held together by weak intermolecular forces. Little energy is needed to overcome theses forces, so the boiling point is low.

Question 5

Can simple molecular substances conduct electricity? Why?

Answer 5

No because there aren’t any charged particles.