Question

The melting point of a solid is related to the way in which that substance is held together. Qualitatively, the relative melting points for a series of solids may be estimated using the following trends:

A) Size of atoms
B) Color of crystals
C) Taste of the substance
D) Shape of the container

Answer 1

The melting point is the temperature at which a solid changes to a liquid and is dependent on the strength of intermolecular or ionic forces present in a substance, with stronger bonds resulting in higher melting points.

Step-by-step explanation:

The melting point of a solid is indicative of the energy required to convert it from a solid to a liquid state. This transition point is heavily influenced by the strength of the intermolecular forces between the particles within the solid. For instance, sodium chloride (NaCl), which is an ionic compound, has a high melting point of 801°C due to the strong ionic bonds within its structure. Conversely, ice, composed of water molecules held together by hydrogen bonds, has a much lower melting point of 0°C, illustrating that even the strongest intermolecular forces are weaker than ionic bonds. The melting point can thus serve as a reflection of the type of bond and the strength of attractive forces present.