GRE Subject Test: Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology › Help with Intermolecular Forces
Which of the following molecules is not capable of hydrogen bonding?
Ethanol
Acetic acid
Hydrogen bonding is possible when a hydrogen atom is attached to a nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine. Of the following options, hydrochloric acid is the only option that does not fit the criteria.
Which of the following forces is strongest between molecules of hydrochloric acid (HCl)?
Dipole-dipole interactions
Hydrogen bonding
London dispersion forces
Ionic bonding
Since hydrochloric acid has a partial positive charge on the hydrogen and a partial negative charge on the chlorine, the molecules will have dipole-dipole interactions between them. Although hydrogen bonding is a stronger force, a hydrogen must be attached to a nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine in order to exhibit hydrogen bonding.