Strongest Inter-Particle Forces in Sodium Bromide

Inter-particle forces, also known as intermolecular forces, are the forces of attraction or repulsion between particles in a substance. These forces determine the physical properties of substances, such as melting point, boiling point, and solubility. The strength of inter-particle forces depends on the type of particles involved and the nature of the bonding between them.

In the given options, the strongest inter-particle forces are found in Sodium Bromide (NaBr). Let's explore why Sodium Bromide has the strongest inter-particle forces compared to the other options.

1. Ethyl Alcohol (C2H5OH):
Ethyl alcohol is a polar molecule. It contains a hydroxyl group (-OH) that gives it a polar covalent bond. The inter-particle forces in ethyl alcohol are hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole interactions. While these forces are relatively strong, they are weaker compared to the forces present in Sodium Bromide.

2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2):
Carbon dioxide is a nonpolar molecule. It consists of two oxygen atoms double-bonded to a carbon atom. The inter-particle forces in carbon dioxide are weak London dispersion forces, which result from temporary fluctuations in electron distribution. These forces are relatively weak compared to the forces present in Sodium Bromide.

3. Sodium Bromide (NaBr):
Sodium Bromide is an ionic compound composed of sodium cations (Na+) and bromide anions (Br-). Ionic compounds have the strongest inter-particle forces due to the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. In the case of Sodium Bromide, the positive sodium ions are strongly attracted to the negative bromide ions, creating a lattice structure held together by ionic bonds. These inter-particle forces are much stronger than the forces present in ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide.

4. Ammonia (NH3):
Ammonia is a polar molecule with a trigonal pyramidal shape. It contains a lone pair of electrons on the nitrogen atom, which gives it a partial negative charge. The inter-particle forces in ammonia are hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole interactions. These forces are stronger than the forces present in ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide but still weaker than the forces in Sodium Bromide.

In conclusion, the inter-particle forces in Sodium Bromide (NaBr) are the strongest among the given options. This is because Sodium Bromide is an ionic compound, and the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions results in strong inter-particle forces.