Critical temperature for carbon dioxide and methane are 31.1°C and –81.9°C respectively. Which of these has stronger intermolecular forces and why?
The Critical temperature of any gas gives us an idea regarding the intermolecular forces of attraction between the molecules of that gas. Higher the intermolecular forces of attraction, higher will be the critical temperature. Hence, intermolecular forces of attraction are stronger in the case of CO2 as critical temperature for carbon dioxide is comparatively higher.