Which of the following is most likely indicated by a substance having a high melting point temperature?

• A. The substance is likely to be a gas at room temperature.
• B. The substance has a low density.
• C. The substance has strong intermolecular or ionic forces.
• D. The substance is highly soluble in water.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes from solid to liquid, which depends on the strength of the forces holding its particles together.
2. Recall that substances with strong intermolecular forces (such as hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions) or ionic bonds require more energy (higher temperature) to break these forces and melt.
3. Recognize that a high melting point generally indicates strong attractive forces between particles, not necessarily low density or solubility in water.
4. Note that gases at room temperature typically have very weak intermolecular forces and thus low melting points, so a high melting point suggests the substance is not a gas at room temperature.
5. Conclude that the most likely reason for a high melting point is the presence of strong intermolecular or ionic forces within the substance.