Boiling and Melting Points

[DevanCornelio_1I]

How do intermolecular forces and shapes of molecules each contribute to a molecule's boiling or melting point? Which has more of an effect?

[Aditya_Patil_3A]

It depends on the molecule, but they both have significant effects on the boiling and melting points of molecules. For example, molecules that have a more linear shape are more prone to be tightly packed together, increasing interactions that require more energy to break, thus increasing their melting and boiling points. Molecules with certain molecular charges/properties can have stronger interactions with other molecules, which can also increase their melting/boiling points.