Question

sep construct an explanation explain why carbon dioxide is a gas, water is a liquid, and salt is solid at room temperature based on how the particles are held together.

Explanation:

Carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)) has weak intermolecular forces (London dispersion forces). The particles are not strongly held together, allowing them to move freely and exist as a gas at room temperature. Water (\(H_2O\)) has stronger intermolecular forces (hydrogen bonding). The particles are held more closely than in \(CO_2\) but not as rigidly as in a solid, so it is a liquid. Salt (e.g., \(NaCl\)) has ionic bonds. The ions are held in a fixed, ordered lattice structure by strong electrostatic forces, making it a solid.

Answer:

Carbon dioxide has weak intermolecular forces (London dispersion forces), so particles move freely (gas). Water has hydrogen bonding (stronger than in \(CO_2\) but not rigid), so liquid. Salt has ionic bonds (strong electrostatic forces in a lattice), so solid.