The table gives the relative formula mass and the boiling point of four substances that consist of small molecules. Which statement explains the trend shown in the table?
Table: The relative formula mass and the boiling point of four substances that consist of small molecules
| Substance | Relative formula mass | Boiling point in ∘C^\circ\text{C}∘C |
|---|---|---|
| Methane | 16 | -162 |
| Ethane | 30 | -89 |
| Propane | 44 | -42 |
| Butane | 58 | -1 |
The intermolecular forces increase as the molecules get larger
The intermolecular forces decrease as the molecules get larger
The covalent bonds get stronger as the molecules get larger
The covalent bonds get weaker as the molecules get larger
42 exam-style questions on AQA GCSE Chemistry 2.2 How bonding and structure are related to the properties of substances, covering 2.2.1a The three states of matter, 2.2.1b Limitations of the simple particle model, 2.2.2 State symbols in chemical equations, 2.2.3 Properties of ionic compounds, 2.2.4 Properties of small molecules, 2.2.5 Polymers, 2.2.6 Giant covalent structures, 2.2.7 Properties of metals and alloys, and 2.2.8 Metals as conductors. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.