Chapter 12, Problem 97A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Out of ammonia or methane, the substance which is more soluble in water needs to be determined on the basis of intermolecular forces.

Concept introduction:

The molecule that will form some kind of bond or is polar will be more soluble in water.

Answer to Problem 97A

Ammonia is more soluble in water than methane.

Explanation of Solution

As ammonia has lone pair of electron thus it can form hydrogen bond with the water molecules and thus there exists strong intermolecular forces while methane does not form any kind of bond with water due to its non polar nature.

Conclusion

Hence due to the hydrogen bond formed between ammonia and water molecules, ammonia is more soluble in water than methane.