What is the average distance between atoms (interatomic distance) in water? Use the data given in Examples 13.1 and 13.2.

Explanation

A given mass of water in vapour state has `1.67 xx 10^(3)` times the volume of the same mass of water in liquid state . This is also the increase in the amount of volume available for each molecule of water. When volume increases by `10^(3)` times the radius increases by `V^(1//3)` or 10 times, i.e., `10 xx 2 À = 20 Å`. So the average distance is `2 xx 20 = 40 Å`.