Arrange the following in order of increasing boiling point: rbcl, ch3cl, ch3oh, ch4. a. ch3oh < ch4 < ch3cl < rbcl b. rbcl < ch3cl < ch3oh < ch4 c. ch4 < ch3oh < ch3cl < rbcl d. ch3oh < ch3cl < rbcl < ch4 e. ch4 < ch3cl < ch3oh < rbcl

E. CH₄ < CH₃Cl < CH₃OH < RbCl

Explanation:

The molecule with the stronger intermolecular forces will have the higher boiling point.

The order of strength of intermolecular forces (strongest first) is

RbCl is a compound of a metal and a nonmetal. It is an ionic compound, so it has the highest boiling point.

CH₃Cl has a C-Cl polar covalent bond. It has dipole-dipole forces, so it has the second lowest boiling point.

CH₃OH has an O-H bond. It has hydrogen bonding, so it has the second highest boiling point.

CH₄ has nonpolar covalent C-H bonds. It has only nonpolar bonds, so the only attractive forces are London dispersion forces. It has the lowest boiling point.

Thus, the order of increasing boiling points is

CH₄ < CH₃Cl < CH₃OH < RbCl