Amongst \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{~S}, \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{Se}\) and \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{Te}\), the one with the highest boiling point is (a) \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\) Te because of higher molecular weight (b) \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) because of hydrogen bonding (c) \(\mathrm{H}_{2}\) Se because of lower molecular weight (d) \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{~S}\) because of hydrogen bonding

Hydrogen bonding is an especially strong type of intermolecular force that occurs when a hydrogen atom is bonded to a highly electronegative atom like nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine, making it positively polarized. This positive hydrogen atom can then attract the negative end of another polar molecule, forming a 'hydrogen bond'.

In layman's terms, think of hydrogen bonds as very strong magnets at a microscopic level. They are particularly significant in compounds like water (H_2O), which has a unique structure allowing each molecule to form hydrogen bonds with up to four neighboring molecules. This extensive hydrogen bonding is what gives water many of its remarkable properties, such as a high boiling point, surface tension, and the ability to dissolve many substances.

For students studying NEET Chemistry, understanding hydrogen bonding is crucial because it explains the behaviors of water and other important biological molecules like DNA, which relies on hydrogen bonds to maintain its double helical structure. Moreover, the concept of hydrogen bonding is frequently tested in the context of properties of substances and their intermolecular interactions.

The molecular weight or molecular mass of a substance is another key factor affecting its boiling point. It's essentially the sum of the atomic weights of all the atoms in a molecule. Generally, the higher the molecular weight, the higher the boiling point, because molecules with more mass have greater forces of attraction between them.

However, there are exceptions to this rule, primarily due to the presence of strong intermolecular forces like hydrogen bonding. A classic example is water (H_2O): despite having a relatively low molecular weight, it has a high boiling point compared to other molecules of similar size. This is precisely because of the strong hydrogen bonds between water molecules.

For NEET aspirants, mastering how molecular weight influences boiling points, alongside other intermolecular forces, is essential. Questions on this topic can include comparisons between different compounds and asking which has the higher boiling point, requiring understanding of both individual molecular weights and the types of intermolecular forces at play.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a challenging pre-medical entrance exam for students in India, and Chemistry is one of its core subjects. NEET Chemistry includes physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry, all of which require a deep understanding of concepts like the boiling points of different substances.

In this context, students must understand not just the factual content, like the trends in the periodic table or the structure of compounds, but also the reasoning behind physical properties such as boiling points. This involves a clear grasp of intermolecular forces, such as hydrogen bonding, and how they affect these properties, despite potential contradictions like the molecular weight anomaly seen with water.

By integrating both factual knowledge and conceptual understanding, NEET Chemistry candidates can improve their problem-solving abilities and perform better in the exam. Specifically, the understanding of intermolecular forces as they relate to boiling points can be decisive in answering questions that test the application of these principles to real-world chemical problems.