When methane gas [CH4] condenses to become a liquid which forces must be overcome?

Question

When methane gas [CH4] condenses to become a liquid which forces must be overcome?

a. dispersion
b. dipole - dipole
c. hydrogen bonding
d. ion - dipole
e. none of the above

Answer 1

E. None of the above

Reason for chosing 'E': If a gas is changing to a liquid,- called condensation- heat has to be removed. (also called vaporization)

Answer 2

This question really illustrates the stupidity of multiple choice questions. The only thing being "overcome" is entropy, which is not conventionally described as a "force." Entropy says that systems will go towards greater disorder. At low temperatures the attractive forces between methane (or any other compound) will predominate and cause it to become a liquid or solid. At higher temperatures (the specific temperature depends on the particular compound) these attractive "forces" will be overcome and entropy will predominate. However, this being a retarded multiple choice question, the possible answers are (A) if dispersion is a retarded way of saying "entropy" or (E) if dispersion is not a retarded way of saying "entropy" because the only answer is entropy.