Higher melting point, PH3 or NH3?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on comparing the melting points of two compounds, ammonia (NH3) and phosphine (PH3), as part of a broader chemistry exercise involving multiple pairs of compounds. Participants explore the factors influencing melting points, including intermolecular forces and electronegativity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that NH3 and PH3 have the same electronic configuration and expresses uncertainty about determining which has a higher melting point.
  • Another participant asks about the dominant intermolecular forces in ammonia and whether they are stronger or weaker than those in phosphine, suggesting a comparison to the other pairs considered.
  • A correction is made regarding the identification of H2S as hydrogen sulfide, not sulfuric acid.
  • One participant suggests considering electronegativity as a factor in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which compound has a higher melting point, and multiple viewpoints regarding the influencing factors remain present.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not fully resolve the assumptions regarding the comparison of intermolecular forces or the implications of electronegativity on melting points.

ANDR3W
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Hi everyone, I have a question for all of you

In an exercise of chemistry it's written to find the compound, between every couple, which has the highest melting point.

The three couples are: H20 H2S; KBr CF4, NH3 PH3.

In the first case water has higher melting point because the bond is stronger than the sulfuric acid one.
In the second case, looking at the electronic configuration, we can spot that Br has 4p5 and so makes an ionic bond with K that is giving away its electron to complete valence shell.

In the third case i really don't know what to think.
They have same electronic configuration so i don't know how to spot the higher one..
Can anybody help me? :)
Thank you.
 
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ANDR3W said:
Hi everyone, I have a question for all of you

In an exercise of chemistry it's written to find the compound, between every couple, which has the highest melting point.

The three couples are: H20 H2S; KBr CF4, NH3 PH3.

In the first case water has higher melting point because the bond is stronger than the sulfuric acid one.
In the second case, looking at the electronic configuration, we can spot that Br has 4p5 and so makes an ionic bond with K that is giving away its electron to complete valence shell.

In the third case i really don't know what to think.
They have same electronic configuration so i don't know how to spot the higher one..
Can anybody help me? :)
Thank you.

Well, what are the dominant intermolecular forces between ammonia molecules? Do you expect those to be stronger or weaker than the forces between phospine molecules? Is there any similarity between this pair and the other pairs you considered?
 
H2S is not sulfuric acid. H2S is hydrogen sulfide.
 
Look at the Electronegativity
 

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