Practise describing hydrogen bonding in N–H and O–H molecules and explaining water’s melting point, boiling point, surface tension and ice density in CAIE 9701 AS questions.
The graph shows the boiling points of the hydrogen compounds of Group 16 elements.
Which statement correctly explains why water does not fit the trend of the other compounds?
There are fewer electrons in the oxygen atoms so there is less shielding of the nuclear charge.
There are strong hydrogen bonds in water but not in the other compounds.
The covalent bonds in water are much stronger than in the other compounds.
The water molecules are smaller and so have stronger van der Waals' forces.