Question

The Cl₂ molecules in crystalline chlorine are arranged in herring bone arrays within sheets, held together by covalent bonds. The shortest Cl to Cl distance within these sheets is 1.98 Å. Adjacent sheets are held together by vanderwaals forces and the closest approach between Cl atoms on neighbouring sheets is 3.69 Å. In solid HCl observed at lower temperatures , the H—Cl bond length is 1.25 Å. Therefore shortest distance between two Cl atoms in solid HCl is - (given vanderwaals radius of H = 1.1 Å)

• A.
  2. 5 Å
• B. 2.95 Å
• C. 4.2 Å
• D. 6.04 Å

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

4.2 Å

Answer 2

d_Cl–Cl = d_H–Cl + r­_v.d (H) + r_v.d (Cl)

= 1.25 + 1.1 + 1.85 = 4.2 Å