States Of Matter

The extent of adsorption of a gas on activated charcoal increases with the critical temperature of the gas. The critical temperature is the temperature above which a gas cannot be liquefied, regardless of pressure. Gases with higher critical temperatures are more easily liquefied and are adsorbed to a greater extent.

Given the critical temperatures:
- Methane: 190K
- Ammonia: 405K
- Carbon dioxide: 304K
- n-Butane: 425K
- Dihydrogen: 33K

Among these, n-butane has the highest critical temperature (425K), which means it is the gas that will be adsorbed to the maximum extent on activated charcoal at a given temperature.

The correct option is (D) : n-butane

Analysis of statements:

• (A) HCl: Correct (polar molecule with dipole-dipole interactions)
• (B) States of matter: Correct (balance between forces and energy)
• (C) Kinetic theory: Correct (gas collisions are elastic)
• (D) Hydrogen bond: Correct (involves lone pair-H interaction)
• (E) Aqueous tension: Wrong (aqueous tension increases with temperature)

Thus, the correct option is (E): Aqueous tension of water decreases with the increase in temperature.