Question

How does the heat of vaporization of water compare to the heats of vaporization of other, similar substances? How does this difference relate to inter molecular forces?

Answer 1

H20 is a polar molecule, so its easier for a water molecule create hydrogen bonding, which are fairly easy to break but is an extra force for vaporization to occur vs other molecules, but it does require high amount of heat : http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/H/HydrogenBonds.html