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  • Boiling Points of KCl, CO2, and CH2O: Which is Lowest?
    Here's how to determine the substance with the lowest boiling point:

    * KCl (Potassium Chloride): This is an ionic compound. Ionic compounds have very strong electrostatic attractions between their ions, leading to high melting and boiling points.

    * CO2 (Carbon Dioxide): This is a nonpolar molecule. Nonpolar molecules have weak London dispersion forces, which are the only intermolecular forces present. This results in relatively low boiling points.

    * CH2O (Formaldehyde): This is a polar molecule. Polar molecules have dipole-dipole interactions in addition to London dispersion forces. Dipole-dipole interactions are stronger than London dispersion forces, but still weaker than ionic bonds.

    Therefore, CO2 (carbon dioxide) will have the lowest boiling point.

    Here's why:

    * Weakest Intermolecular Forces: CO2 has only weak London dispersion forces between its molecules.

    * Smaller Molecular Size: CO2 is a small molecule, which further reduces the strength of these forces.

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