HKDSE CHEMISTRY – A Modern View

(Second Edition)
(Reprinted with minor amendments 2019)
(Chemistry and Combined Science)
Coursebook 3A
Suggested answers

Chapter 24 Simple molecular substances with non-octet Page

structures and shapes of simple molecules Number

 Class Practice 1

 Think About 2

 Chapter Exercise 2

Chapter 25 Polarity of bond and molecule

 Class Practice 8

 Think About 8

 Chapter Exercise 8

Chapter 26 Intermolecular forces

 Class Practice 12

 Think About 13

 Chapter Exercise 14

Chapter 27 Structures and properties of molecular crystals

 Class Practice 18

 Think About 19

 Chapter Exercise 19

⚫ Part Exercise 21

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HKDSE CHEMISTRY ⎯ A Modern View (Second Edition) Coursebook 3A
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Chapter 24 Simple molecular substances with non-octet

structures and shapes of simple molecules

Class practice
A24.1 (p.24-5)
(a) BeCl2 NCl3

Cl2O IF3

(b) BeCl2 and IF3. The central beryllium atom in BeCl2 has only four outermost shell
electrons. The central iodine atom in IF3 has 10 outermost shell electrons.

A24.2 (p.24-10)
(a)

(b) Tetrahedral
(c) Both the carbon atoms in CCl4 and in CH4 have four bond pairs around them.
The repulsion between these electron pairs causes both CCl4 and CH4 to adopt a
tetrahedral shape.
(d)

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A24.3 (p.24-15)
(a) (i) (ii) Linear;

(b) (i) (ii) Trigonal pyramidal;

(c) (i) (ii) Octahedral;

Think about
Think about (p.24-2)
1. The shape of a molecule is mainly determined by the arrangement of the electron
pairs around the central atom of that molecule. However, it is distorted by the
presence of lone pair of electrons.
2. The boron atom has six outermost shell electrons.
3. No. Boron trifluoride does not have a stable octet structure.

Think about (p.24-11)

Linear

Chapter exercise (p.24-19)

1. eight
2. eight
3. six
4. ten
5. twelve
6. linear
7. trigonal planar
8. tetrahedral
9. one; three

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10. two; two

11. trigonal bipyramidal
12. octahedral
13. (a)
Number of
electron pairs Number of Number of
Does the
around central bond pairs lone pairs
Shape of molecule
Molecule atom (a double or around around
molecule obey octet
a triple bond is central central
rule?
treated as ‘one’ atom atom
electron pair)
BeCl2 2 2 0 Linear No
Trigonal
COCl2 3 3 0 Yes
planar
Trigonal
BF3 3 3 0 No
planar
H2S 4 2 2 V-shaped Yes
SiCl4 4 4 0 Tetrahedral Yes
Trigonal
NCl3 4 3 1 Yes
pyramidal
Trigonal
PBr5 5 5 0 No
bipyramidal
SBr6 6 6 0 Octahedral No
(b)
Molecule (i) Electron diagram (ii) Three-dimensional structure

BeCl2

COCl2

BF3

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H2S

SiCl4

NCl3

PBr5

SBr6

14. A
The central sulphur atom in SF6 contains twelve outermost shell electrons.

15. D

The electron diagram of CH2Cl2 is .

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16. C
To minimize the repulsion between the four electron pairs around the central
carbon atom, the four electron pairs (all bond pairs) take up a tetrahedral
arrangement.

17. A
There are two electron pairs around the central carbon atom in the S=C=S
molecule (each of the double bonds can be treated as an electron pair).
There are two electron pairs around the central carbon atom in the H−C≡N
molecule (a triple bond can be treated as an electron pair).
There are two lone pairs and two bond pairs of electrons around the central
oxygen atom in the F−O−F molecule.

18. D
BeF2 molecule is linear in shape but Cl2O molecule is V-shaped.
SCl2 molecule is V-shaped but CO2 molecule is linear in shape.
BH3 molecule is trigonal planar in shape but NH3 molecule is trigonal pyramidal
in shape.
Both BF3 and CH2O molecules are trigonal planar in shape.

19. C

The three-dimensional structure of a H2SO4 molecule is .

The central sulphur atom contains twelve outermost shell electrons.

20. A

The three-dimensional structure of a H3PO4 molecule is .

The central phosphorus atom contains ten outermost shell electrons. The H3PO4
molecule is tetrahedral in shape.

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21. (a) A B

(b) A: WZ3; B: YZ3

(c) A. The central atom (W) has only six electrons in the outermost shell.

22. (a) BF3: NH3:

(b) BF3: NH3:

Trigonal planar Trigonal pyramidal

(c) (i) In BF3, the central B atom contains only six outermost shell electrons.
It will accept a lone pair of electrons from the N atom of NH3 to attain
a stable octet structure.
(ii)

23. (a)

(b) It is trigonal pyramidal in shape. The three-dimensional structure of the

molecule is .

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(c) In PH3, there are one lone pair and three bond pairs of electrons around the
central phosphorus atom. To minimize the repulsion between them, the four
electron pairs in PH3 take up a tetrahedral arrangement. Thus, PH3 molecule
is trigonal pyramidal in shape.
In BH3, there are three bond pairs of electrons around the central boron
atom. The repulsion between the three electron pairs causes the hydrogen
atoms to lie at the corners of an equilateral triangle, with the boron atom at
the centre. Thus, BH3 molecule is trigonal planar in shape.

24. (a) CHCl3 SCl6 SOCl2

(b) Only CHCl3 obeys octet rule. The central sulphur atoms in SCl6 and SOCl2
contain 12 and 10 outermost shell electrons respectively.
(c) CHCl3
Tetrahedral

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Chapter 25 Polarity of bond and molecule

Class practice
A25.1 (p.25-7)
(a) C+−Cl−
(b) N+−Cl−
(c) C+−S−
(d) F−−O+

A25.2 (p.25-11)
1. NCl3 molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape. As the polarities of the three polar
N−Cl bonds cannot cancel out each other, the NCl3 molecule is polar. BCl3
molecule is trigonal planar in shape and the three polar B−Cl bonds are arranged
symmetrically. As the polarities of the B−Cl bonds can cancel out each other, the
BCl3 molecule is non-polar.
2. PCl3 molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape. As the polarities of the three polar
P−Cl bonds cannot cancel out each other, the PCl3 molecule is polar. PCl5
molecule is trigonal bipyramidal in shape and the five polar P−Cl bonds are
arranged symmetrically. As the polarities of the P−Cl bonds can cancel out each
other, the PCl5 molecule is non-polar.

A25.3 (p.25-12)

Think about
Think about (p.25-2)
1. Different atoms have different electronegativities.
2. The uneven distribution of shared electrons results in a polar covalent bond.

Chapter exercise (p.25-17)

1. Electronegativity
2. polar
3. non-polar
4. greater; polarity

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5. polar
6. non-polar
7. deflection

8. C
The electronegativity values of the elements are:
Element Electronegativity value
H 2.20
N 3.04
O 3.44
F 3.98
Si 1.90
S 2.58
Cl 3.16

9. B
Atoms of different electronegativities form a polar covalent bond.

10. C
Covalent bond Difference in electronegativity values
H−Cl 3.16 − 2.20 = 0.96
S−F 3.98 − 2.58 = 1.40
Si−O 3.44 − 1.90 = 1.54
P−Br 2.96 − 2.19 = 0.77

11. B
CS2 is linear in shape and SF6 is octahedral in shape. The polar bonds in these
molecules can cancel out each other. H2S is V-shaped. The polarities of the H−S
bonds cannot cancel out each other.

12. C
PF5 is trigonal bipyramidal in shape and the polar P−F bonds are arranged
symmetrically. The polarities of the five P−F bonds can cancel out each other.
Thus, it is a non-polar molecule.

13. D
NCl3 is trigonal pyramidal in shape. As the polarities of the three polar N−Cl
bonds cannot cancel out each other, the NCl3 molecule is polar.

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CF3Cl is tetrahedral in shape. The four polar bonds are arranged symmetrically.
However, as their polarities are not identical, the polarities of the bonds cannot
cancel out each other. Thus, the CF3Cl molecule is polar.
SCl2 is V-shaped. As the polarities of the two polar S−Cl bonds cannot cancel out
each other, the SCl2 molecule is polar.

14. (a)

(b)

(c)

15. (a) SF2 molecule is V-shaped. As the polarities of the two polar S−F bonds
cannot cancel out each other, the SF2 molecule is polar.
BeF2 molecule is linear in shape. The two polar Be−F bonds are arranged
symmetrically. As the polarities of the Be−F bonds can cancel out each other,
the BeF2 molecule is non-polar.
(b) H−C≡N is linear in shape. The polar H−C bond and C≡N bond are arranged
symmetrically. However, as their polarities are not identical, the polarities
of the bonds cannot cancel out each other. Thus, the H−C≡N molecule is
polar.
H−C≡C−H molecule is linear in shape. The two polar C−H bonds are
arranged symmetrically. As the polarities of the C−H bonds can cancel out
each other, the H−C≡C−H molecule is non-polar.

16. (a) Y, Z, X
(b) (c) (d)

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17. (a) Fill the burette with the liquid. Open the stopcock and slowly run the liquid
from the burette. Place the charged rod close to the jet of liquid. Observe
whether the liquid shows a deflection.
(b) The liquid should be propanone if its jet shows a deflection. Propanone is
polar. The propanone molecules will orientate themselves so that the polar
ends of the molecules point to the charged rod and the deflection of liquid
jet occurs.

18. (a)

methanol

(b) As the polarities of the bonds in a methanol molecule cannot cancel out
each other, the methanol molecule is polar. When a positively charged rod
was brought near to a jet of methanol, methanol molecules orientated
themselves so that the negative ends of methanol molecules pointed to the
positively charged rod. This results in an electrostatic attraction that caused
the deflection.
(c)

(d) The jet of methanol showed a similar deflection because the positive ends of
methanol molecules would be attracted when a negatively charged rod was
brought near to it.

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Chapter 26 Intermolecular forces

Class practice
A26.1 (p.26-6)
(a) HBr. Due to the large electronegative difference between Br and H, the H−Br
bond is polar. There is only one H−Br bond in the molecule. Thus, the HBr
molecule is polar.
(b) Cl2. There is only one non-polar Cl−Cl bond in the Cl2 molecule. Thus, the
molecule is non-polar.
(c) The HBr molecule has a positive end and a negative end. The electrons in the Cl2
molecule would be drawn towards the positive end of the HBr molecule. As a
result, there are more electrons on one side of the Cl2 molecules than on the other
side.
(d) Van der Waals’ forces

A26.2 (p.26-10)
1. (a) Non-polar molecules
(b) Van der Waals’ forces
(c) Butane is a straight-chain hydrocarbon and is rod-shaped. 2-methylpropane
is a branched-chain hydrocarbon and has a spherical shape. As butane
molecules have a greater area of contact with one another, the van der
Waals’ forces between their molecules are stronger. Thus, butane has a
higher boiling point.
2. (a) Methane, ethane and propane are all non-polar.
(b) As the molecular size decreases in the order: propane > ethane > methane,
the van der Waals’ forces between propane molecules are the strongest
while those between methane molecules is the weakest. Thus, the boiling
points decrease in the order: propane > ethane > methane.

A26.3 (p.26-13)
1. (a) Yes
(b) Yes
2. Each H2O molecule can form two hydrogen bonds on average but each NH3 and
each HF molecule can form only one hydrogen bond on average. Hence, the
intermolecular forces between H2O molecules are stronger than those between
NH3 or HF molecules.

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A26.4 (p.26-18)
1. (a) propane, methoxymethane, ethanol
(b) Propane is non-polar. It cannot form hydrogen bond with water molecules
and thus is insoluble in water.
In methoxymethane, the lone pairs of electrons on the oxygen atom enable
its molecules to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. As a result, it
is slightly soluble in water.
In ethanol, the −OH group enables its molecules to form hydrogen bonds
with water molecules. As a result, ethanol is very soluble in water.
2. A: substance with a giant covalent structure
B: substance with a simple molecular structure (consisting of non-polar
molecules)
C: substance with a simple molecular structure (consisting of polar molecules)
D: substance with a giant ionic structure

A26.5 (p.26-22)
Heptane molecules are held together by van der Waals’ forces while ethanol
molecules are held together mainly by hydrogen bonds. As the intermolecular forces
in heptane are weaker than those in ethanol, it is easier for heptane molecules to
escape into the air.

Think about
Think about (p.26-2)
1. Hydrogen bonds in addition to van der Waals’ forces exist between water
molecules.
2. The above phenomenon is caused by the surface tension of water.

Think about (p.26-5)

Yes. The electrons in the argon atom are also in constant motion. At any given instant,
there may be more electrons on one side of the atom than on the other side. This
results in uneven distribution of electrons.

Think about (p.26-13)

One

Think about (p.26-15)

Cold water has a higher viscosity than hot water. As temperature increases, the water
molecules move faster and separate further apart. This weakens the intermolecular

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forces between water molecules.

Think about (p.26-22)

When some alcohol evaporates on our skin, it would absorb some heat from our skin.
This lowers the temperature and produces a cooling sensation.

Chapter exercise (p.26-27)

1. molecules; electrostatic
2. van der Waals’ forces; hydrogen
3. molecular size; area
4. electronegative; lone pair
5. higher; hydrogen bonds
6. surface tension; viscosity
7. high; hydrogen bonds
8. miscible
9. lower

10. A
The bond between H and Br is covalent and polar in nature. Hence, HBr
molecule is polar. However, as Br is not very electronegative, no hydrogen bond
forms between HBr molecules.

11. B
Compound (1) and compound (3) have the same molecular formula. However,
compound (1) is a branched-chain hydrocarbon while compound (3) is a
straight-chain hydrocarbon. The area of contact between the molecules of
compound (3) is greater than that between the molecules of compound (1). Thus,
the van der Waals’ forces between the molecules of compound (3) are stronger.
Compound (2) has a larger molecular size than compounds (1) and (3). Thus, the
van der Waals’ forces between the molecules of compound (2) are the strongest.

12. A
Nitrogen is a highly electronegative element. Besides, the hydrogen atoms in
ammonia are directly attached to the highly electronegative nitrogen atom. As a
result, hydrogen bonding exists between ammonia molecules.

13. A

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14. B
H2O and HF molecules are held together mainly by hydrogen bonds while HCl
molecules are held by van der Waals’ forces. Each H2O molecule can form two
hydrogen bonds on average but each HF molecule can form only one hydrogen
bond on average. Thus, the intermolecular forces between H2O molecules are
stronger than those between HF molecules.

15. (a) Group 0

(b) Van der Waals’ forces
(c) The electrons in an atom of X are in constant motion. At any given instant,
the electron distribution in an atom of X is uneven. The atom would form a
partial positive charge on one side and form a partial negative charge on
another side. The partial charges on the atom of X can affect the electron
distribution in neighbouring atoms. This induces a similar separation of
charges on the neighbouring atoms. The partial positive charge on one atom
of X would attract the partial negative change on another atom of X.
(d) As the molecular size increases from X to Y, and then to Z, the van der
Waals’ forces between the molecules of Z are the strongest while those
between the molecules of X are the weakest. Thus, Z has the highest boiling
point while X has lowest boiling point.

16. (a) Both C3H6 and C2H4 are non-polar.

(b) The molecular size of C3H6 is larger than that of C2H4. The van der Waals’
forces between C3H6 molecules are stronger than those between C2H4
molecules. Thus, C3H6 has a higher boiling point.

17. (a) A and B. Their molecules are held together mainly by hydrogen bonds.
(b) Lower. As there is no hydrogen bond between the molecules of C, less
energy is needed to separate the molecules during boiling.

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18. (a)

Boiling point
( C)

(b) HF molecules are held together mainly by hydrogen bonds, while HCl, HBr
and HI molecules are held together by van der Waals’ forces. The
intermolecular forces between HF molecules are the strongest. As a result, it
has the highest boiling point. As the molecular size increases from HCl to
HBr and then to HI, the van der Waals’ forces between HCl molecules are
the weakest while those between HI are the strongest among them. Thus,
the boiling points increase in order of HCl < HBr < HI.

19. Ethanol and ethane-1,2-diol have higher boiling points as their molecules are
held together mainly by hydrogen bonds. Among them, each ethane-1,2-diol
molecule can form two hydrogen bonds on average while each ethanol molecule
can form only one hydrogen bond on average. Therefore, ethane-1,2-diol has a
higher boiling point than ethanol.
The intermolecular forces between chloroethane molecules and between ethane
molecules are weak van der Waals’ forces. Since chloroethane has a larger
molecular size than ethane, the van der Waals’ forces between chloroethane
molecules are stronger than those between ethane molecules. Therefore,
chloroethane has a higher boiling point than ethane.

20. (a) (i) Van der Waals’ forces

(ii) Van der Waals’ forces
(iii) Hydrogen bonds and van der Waals’ forces
(b) No. This is because tetrachloromethane molecules cannot form hydrogen
bonds with water molecules.
(c)

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yellow solution of iodine in water

violet solution of iodine in tetrachloromethane

21. (a) In NH3, the H atoms and the lone pair of electrons on the N atom enable its
molecules to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. However, hexane
molecules cannot form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
(b) The molecular size of CCl4 is larger than that of CH4. The van der Waals’
forces between CCl4 molecules are stronger than those between CH4
molecules.
(c) Both CH3OH and CH3CH2OH are alcohols and can form hydrogen bonds
between their own molecules. The strength of hydrogen bonds between
CH3OH molecules is similar to those between CH3CH2OH molecules.

22. (a) When a liquid evaporates, it would absorb heat. As a result, there is a
temperature drop in the surroundings.
(b) Pentane molecules are held together by van der Waals’ forces while
methanol molecules are held together mainly by hydrogen bonds. The
intermolecular forces between pentane molecules are weaker than those
between methanol molecules. Thus, pentane evaporates more easily than
methanol and absorbs more energy from the surroundings. As a result,
pentane has a greater temperature drop during evaporation.
(c) Both methanol and butan-1-ol molecules are held together mainly by
hydrogen bonds. However, as butan-1-ol has a larger molecular size than
methanol, the intermolecular forces between butan-1-ol molecules are
stronger. Thus, methanol evaporates more easily than butan-1-ol and
absorbs more energy from the surroundings. As a result, methanol has a
greater temperature drop during evaporation.
(d) By measuring the change in mass of the liquid over a fixed period of time.

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Chapter 27 Structures and properties of molecular crystals

Class practice
A27.1 (p.27-3)
(a) Chlorine: gas; bromine: liquid; iodine: solid
(b) Cl2 < Br2 < I2
The strength of van der Waals’ forces between molecules increases with the
molecular size. The molecular size of the above substances increases in the order:
Cl2 < Br2 < I2. Thus, iodine has the highest boiling point, while chlorine has the
lowest boiling point.

A27.2 (p.27-7)
(a) Liquid water
(b) The regular network structure of ice allows the formation of maximum number
of hydrogen bonds (four for each water molecule).
(c) To overcome some of the hydrogen bonds and separate the water molecules.
(d) During boiling, all hydrogen bonds have to be broken before the water molecules
can escape as steam.

Extension A27.3 (p.27-11)

1. (a) Diamond and graphite were discovered earlier and regarded as the first two
forms of carbon.
(b) C60 / Buckminsterfullerene
(c) Covalent bond
(d) Van der Waals’ forces
2. (a) In diamond, all carbon atoms are held together by strong covalent bonds. In
C60, the molecules are held together by weak van der Waals’ forces.
(b) There are delocalized electrons that are free to move along the layers of
atoms in the structure of graphite. Diamond does not have delocalized
electrons in the structure. Although there are delocalized electrons in C60
molecules, the movement of these electrons is hindered due to the spherical
structure of the molecules.
(c) C60 has a simple molecular structure. In C60, the molecules are held together
by weak van der Waals’ forces. Less energy is needed to separate the
molecules during melting. Both diamond and graphite have a giant covalent
structure. The carbon atoms are held together by strong covalent bonds. A
lot of energy is needed to break the strong covalent bonds and separate the
carbon atoms during melting.

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Think about
Think about (p.27-2)
1. Hydrogen bonding
2. In the open network structure of ice, water molecules are arranged in a hexagonal
shape to form the maximum number of hydrogen bonds.
3. Because of its open network structure, ice has a lower density than water. As a
result of the hydrogen bond formation, ice has a relatively high melting point.

Chapter exercise (p.27-18)

1. ordered
2. four; tetrahedrally
3. hexagonal; open
4. hydrogen
Extension 5. carbon; hollow; van der Waals’ forces
6. lower; non-polar

7. B
Molecules in both liquid water and ice are held together mainly by hydrogen
bonds. Due to the open structure of ice, the molecules in it are further apart than
they are in liquid water.

Extension 8. B
C60 molecules are held together by van der Waals’ forces.

9. B
A C60 molecule is non-polar, while a water molecule is polar. Due to the large
molecular size of C60, the intermolecular forces between molecules in C60 are
stronger than those between water molecules in ice.

10. B
Substance Melting point (C) Attraction needed to be overcome
Graphite 3730 covalent bonds between carbon atoms
Diamond 3550 covalent bonds between carbon atoms
C60 1070 intermolecular forces between C60 molecules
ice 0 intermolecular forces between H2O molecules

11. D
In ice, the O atom and the H atom in a water molecule are held together by

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strong covalent bonds. The water molecules in ice are held together by hydrogen
bonds and van der Waals’ forces.

12. (a)

a
b

(b) Bond distance a corresponds to the covalent bond formed between the H
atom and the O atom. Bond distance b corresponds to the hydrogen bond
formed between the H atom of a water molecule and the O atom of its
neighbouring molecule. As covalent bond is stronger than hydrogen bond,
bond distance a is shorter than bond distance b.
(c) No. Only some bonds with bond distances b are broken because only some
intermolecular forces between water molecules have to be overcome when
ice melts.

13. (a) Ice has a lower density than liquid water.

(b) Water molecules in ice are held together mainly by hydrogen bonds. In ice,
each water molecule is tetrahedrally arranged, resulting in an open structure.
(c) Ice floats on water. This prevents heat loss from water and helps maintain
the water temperature.

Extension 14. (a) C60 has a simple molecular structure. In C60, the molecules are held together
by weak van der Waals’ forces. Less energy is needed to separate the
molecules during melting. Diamond has a giant covalent structure. The
carbon atoms are held together by strong covalent bonds. A lot of energy is
needed to break the strong covalent bonds and separate the carbon atoms
during melting.
(b) Graphite is a good conductor of electricity because the delocalized electrons
are free to move from one carbon ring to the next along the layer.C60 is a
poor conductor of electricity because the movement of delocalized electrons
is hindered due to the spherical structure of the molecule.

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Part VI Microscopic World II

Part exercise (p.27-20)

1. B
N is a Group V element and has 5 outermost shell electrons. To get the electronic
arrangement of the nearest noble gas, the N atom forms a single covalent bond
with each of the three F atoms.

2. C
BeF2 and CO2 molecules are linear in shape. H2O and OCl2 molecules are
V-shaped. NCl3 molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape.

3. A
The respective molecular polarities of BF3, CH3I and PCl3 are shown below:

4. B
SCl2 molecule is V-shaped. As the polarities of the two polar S−Cl bonds cannot
cancel out each other, the SCl2 molecule is polar.

5. A
H2O and CHCl3 are polar while CCl4 is non-polar.

6. A
There are hydrogen bonds in addition to van der Waals’ forces between
CH3CH2CH2CH2OH molecules.
There are only van der Waals’ forces between CH3CH2CH2CH3 molecules and
between CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3 molecules. However, CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3 has a
larger molecular size than CH3CH2CH2CH3. Thus, the van der Waals’ forces
between CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3 molecules are stronger.

7. A
The hydrogen atoms in the CH3F molecule are not attached to a highly
electronegative atom.

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8. C
A less dense substance (water) floats on a denser substance (tetrachloromethane).

Extension 9. D
Refer to p.9 of chapter 27 for details.

10. (a) WZ4

(b) Tetrahedral

(c) X and Z.
X has five outermost shell electrons. It forms a single covalent bonds with
each of the three Z atoms. As a result, there are three bond pairs and one
lone pair of electrons around the central X atom. To minimize the repulsion
between these four electron pairs, the four electron pairs will take up a
tetrahedral arrangement. As a result, the shape of a XZ3 molecule looks like
a pyramid.

11. (a) (i) (ii)

(iii) (iv)

(b) BF3. The B−F bond is the most polar covalent bond because the
electronegativity difference between B and F is the greatest.
(c) BF3 and PCl5 are non-polar. BF3 molecule is trigonal planar in shape. The

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three polar B–F bonds in the molecule are arranged symmetrically. As the
polarites of the polar bonds can cancel out each other, the BF3 molecule is
non-polar. PCl5 molecule is trigonal bipyramidal in shape. The five polar
P–Cl bonds in the molecule are arranged symmetrically. As the polarities of
the polar bonds can cancel out each other, the PCl5 molecule is non-polar.
BF3 PCl5

(d) ClF has a larger molecular size than F2. The van der Waals’ forces between
ClF molecules are stronger than those between F2 molecules.

12. (a) H2O and CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3

(b)
Substance Type(s) of intermolecular forces
H2O Hydrogen bonds and van der Waals’ forces
NH3 Hydrogen bonds and van der Waals’ forces
Cl2 Van der Waals’ forces
CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3 Van der Waals’ forces
(c) Each H2O molecule can form two hydrogen bonds on average but each NH3
molecule can form only one hydrogen bond on average. Thus, more energy
is needed to separate water molecules during boiling.
(d) CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3 has a higher boiling point as it has a larger molecular
size than Cl2. The van der Waals’ forces between CH3CH2CH2CH2CH3
molecules are stronger than those between Cl2 molecules.

13. (a) The O atom in H2O molecule and the S atom in H2S molecules both have
two lone pairs and two bond pairs of electrons in their outermost shells. The
repulsion between these electron pairs causes the H2O and H2S molecules to
adopt a V-shape.
(b) There are hydrogen bonds in addition to van der Waals’ forces between H 2O
molecules. But there are only van der Waals’ forces between H2S molecules.
Less energy is needed to overcome the intermolecular forces between H2S
molecules during boiling.
(c) H2O molecules can form hydrogen bonds with ethanol molecules but H2S
molecules cannot.

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14. (a) PCl3 PCl5

(b) (i) The power of an atom in a molecule to attract bonding electrons.

(ii) The polarity of C−F bond is greater than that of P−Cl bond. This is
because C and F have a larger difference in electronegativities.
(c) PCl5 molecule is trigonal bipyramidal in shape and the five polar P−Cl
bonds are arranged symmetrically. As the polarities of the five polar bonds
can cancel out each other, the PCl5 molecule is non-polar.
PCl3 molecule is trigonal pyramidal in shape. The polarities of the three
P−Cl bonds cannot cancel out each other. Thus, the PCl3 molecule is polar.
(d) CH2F2 molecule is tetrahedral in shape. The four polar bonds are arranged
symmetrically. However, as their polarities are not identical, the polarities
of the bonds cannot cancel out each other. Thus, the CH2F2 molecule is
polar.

15. (a) The jet of propanone deflected towards the positively charged rod.
(b) Propanone is polar. When the positively charged rod was brought near to the
jet of propanone, its molecules orientated themselves so that the negative
ends of the molecules pointed to the positively charged rod. This results in
an electrostatic attraction that caused the deflection.
(c)

(d) (i) Bottle A

(ii) In pure propanone, propanone molecules are held together by van der
Waals’ forces. In a mixture of propanone and water, propanone
molecules are attracted to water molecules by hydrogen bonds. Thus,
the intermolecular forces between propanone molecules are weaker
than those between propanone and water molecules. As a result, the
evaporation rate of a mixture of propanone and water is lower.

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