Chemistry · Periodicity of Elements and Periodic Properties

JEE Main 2025 — 24 January, Morning Shift — Question 37

The large difference between the melting and boiling points of oxygen and sulphur may be explained on the basis of:

  1. Option A:

    Atomic size

  2. Option B:

    Atomicity

    Correct
  3. Option C:

    Electronegativity

  4. Option D:

    Electron gain enthalpy

Answer: B

Step-by-step solution

Oxygen exists as diatomic molecule O2O_2.

Sulphur exists as octatomic molecule S8S_8.

Larger molecular size of S8S_8 results in stronger intermolecular forces.

Hence sulphur has much higher melting and boiling points than oxygen.

Therefore, the difference is due to atomicity.

Answer key and solution verified before publishing.

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Exam
JEE Main 2025
Subject
Chemistry
Chapter
Periodicity of Elements and Periodic Properties
Topic
Periodicity in Physical Properties (shielding and sizes)
The large difference between the melting and boiling points of oxygen… | JEE Main 2025 PYQ with Solution · DhiX AI