Physics – 2.2.3 Melting, boiling and evaporation | e-Consult
2.2.3 Melting, boiling and evaporation (1 questions)
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The melting point of water is 0°C (273.15 K) and the boiling point is 100°C (373.15 K) at standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm).
Water has relatively high melting and boiling points due to the presence of strong hydrogen bonds between water molecules. Hydrogen bonds are a type of dipole-dipole interaction that occurs when hydrogen is bonded to a highly electronegative atom like oxygen. These bonds are stronger than the weaker London dispersion forces found in nonpolar molecules of similar size. More energy is required to overcome these strong intermolecular forces, hence the higher melting and boiling points.
- Hydrogen bonds are responsible for the high melting and boiling points.
- Hydrogen bonds are stronger than London dispersion forces.
- More energy is required to break the intermolecular forces.