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Question
32 sep construct an explanation why is water (h₂o) a liquid at room temperature while carbon dioxide (co₂) is a gas? whats different about their structures that results in very different properties?
Water (\(H_2O\)) is a liquid at room temperature because of hydrogen bonding. The oxygen in \(H_2O\) is highly electronegative, creating a polar molecule. This leads to strong hydrogen bonds between \(H_2O\) molecules. These bonds require more energy (higher temperature) to break, keeping water in liquid state at room temperature. Carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)) is non - polar. It has only weak London dispersion forces (a type of intermolecular force) between its molecules. These weak forces are easily overcome at room temperature, so \(CO_2\) molecules can move freely as a gas.
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Water (\(H_2O\)) is liquid at room temperature due to strong hydrogen bonding (a result of its polar structure with an electronegative O atom). Carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)) is non - polar and has only weak London dispersion forces. The difference in intermolecular forces (strong hydrogen bonds in \(H_2O\) vs weak London dispersion forces in \(CO_2\)) causes their different states at room temperature.