Oxygen and nitrogen are both gases at room temperature. Explain why oxygen has a greater force of attraction between its particles than nitrogen. (Room temperature is 20°C)

Oxygen molecules are formed as a result of covalent bonding between two atoms of oxygen. There is a sharing of two valence electrons so as to complete their respective octets. This is also similar to the formation of nitrogen molecules.

Oxygen has greater force of attraction because, the electronegativity of oxygen is the second strongest among the elements. Electronegativity deals with the relative tendency of an atom to attract electrons to itself. Therefore, the shared electrons are being greatly pulled by the two atoms of oxygen. The electronegativity of nitrogen is not as great as that of oxygen.