oxygen is a gas but sulphur is a solid . why?
Asked by harshita srivastava | 21st Jun, 2013, 01:53: PM
Expert Answer:
Oxygen is smaller in size as compared to sulphur. Due to its smaller size, it can effectively form p??p?bonds and forms diatomic O2 (O==O) molecule. The intermolecular forces in oxygen are weak van der Waals forces, which causes it to exist as gas. On the other hand, sulphur does not form strong S=S double bonds hence exists as a puckered structure held together by strong covalent bonds and exists as a polyatomic molecule. So, it exists as a solid.
Oxygen is smaller in size as compared to sulphur. Due to its smaller size, it can effectively form p??p?bonds and forms diatomic O2 (O==O) molecule. The intermolecular forces in oxygen are weak van der Waals forces, which causes it to exist as gas. On the other hand, sulphur does not form strong S=S double bonds hence exists as a puckered structure held together by strong covalent bonds and exists as a polyatomic molecule. So, it exists as a solid.
Answered by | 24th Jun, 2013, 12:03: PM
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