Question

Would you expect NaCl or Cl2 to have the higher boiling point? Explain in terms of bonding.

Answer 1

We know that Cl2 is a gas at room temperature while NaCl is a solid.

So the boiling point of Cl2 will be less than the boiling point of NaCl

this can be explained by the type of bonding present

In Cl2: covalent bonds are present [one sigma bond between to Cl atoms]

In NaCl : ionic bond is present [Na+ and Cl-]

Due to presence of coloumbic attraction between ions the ionic bonds are stronger that the covalent bonds and hence the boiling or melting point of ionic compounds are higher than the covalent compounds