JAMB - Chemistry (1999 - No. 13)

Given that electronegativity increases across a period and decreases down a group in the periodic table, in which of the following compounds will the molecules be held together by the strongest hydrogen bond?
HF(g)
NH3(g)
CH4(g)
HCl(g)

Explanation

Among HF, NH\(_3\), CH\(_4\), and HCl, HF has the strongest hydrogen bond. The reason is because the strength of a hydrogen bond depends on the electronegativity of the atom bonded to hydrogen and the size of the atom. HF's combination of the most electronegative atom and a relatively small size makes it the strongest hydrogen bond among the given molecules. Fluorine (F) is the most electronegative element, creating a large dipole moment in HF, which results in a strong hydrogen bond. 

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