why oxygen exists as gas and sulphur exists as solids?

Chemistry: Principles and Practice
3rd Edition
ISBN:9780534420123
Author:Daniel L. Reger, Scott R. Goode, David W. Ball, Edward Mercer
Publisher:Daniel L. Reger, Scott R. Goode, David W. Ball, Edward Mercer
Chapter20: Chemistry Of Hydrogen, Elements In Group 3a Through 6a, And The Noble Gases
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 20.72QE
icon
Related questions
icon
Concept explainers
Question

why oxygen exists as gas and sulphur exists as solids?

Expert Solution
Step 1

Oxygen and sulphur both belong to same group that is group 16. The size of atoms increases going down the group. Therefore, oxygen is smaller in size than sulphur.

Step 2

Due to its smaller size, oxygen can form sigma bond as well as π bonds by side wise overlapping of p orbitals. As a result, it forms O=O, a diatomic molecule. The intermolecular force of attraction acting between oxygen atoms are weak van der Waals forces. Therefore, oxygen exists as a gas.

steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Atmospheric Pollution
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry: Principles and Practice
Chemistry: Principles and Practice
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780534420123
Author:
Daniel L. Reger, Scott R. Goode, David W. Ball, Edward Mercer
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781133611097
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach
Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079243
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Living By Chemistry: First Edition Textbook
Living By Chemistry: First Edition Textbook
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781559539418
Author:
Angelica Stacy
Publisher:
MAC HIGHER
Chemistry: The Molecular Science
Chemistry: The Molecular Science
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781285199047
Author:
John W. Moore, Conrad L. Stanitski
Publisher:
Cengage Learning