Which type of intermolecular force is primarily responsible for the attraction between molecules of hydrogen chloride (HCl)?

• A. Hydrogen bonding
• B. London dispersion forces
• C. Ion-dipole interactions
• D. Dipole-dipole interactions

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular structure of hydrogen chloride (HCl). It is a diatomic molecule consisting of hydrogen and chlorine atoms.
2. Determine the polarity of the HCl molecule by comparing the electronegativities of hydrogen and chlorine. Since chlorine is more electronegative, the molecule has a permanent dipole moment.
3. Recall the types of intermolecular forces: hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, London dispersion forces, and ion-dipole interactions.
4. Evaluate which intermolecular force applies: hydrogen bonding requires H bonded to N, O, or F, which is not the case here; ion-dipole interactions involve ions, which HCl molecules are not; London dispersion forces are present but weaker compared to dipole interactions in polar molecules.
5. Conclude that the primary intermolecular force between HCl molecules is dipole-dipole interactions due to the permanent dipole moment of the molecule.