Final answer:
Intermolecular forces are mostly absent in the gas phase for molecular substances like elemental iodine due to the molecules being far apart, resulting in weak intermolecular forces until condensation.
Explanation:
Intermolecular forces are mostly absent in the gas phase for molecular substances like elemental iodine. This is because in the gas phase, molecules are far apart, and intermolecular forces are nearly nonexistent until the substance condenses into a liquid or solid state. For example, elemental fluorine and chlorine are gases due to weak intermolecular forces, whereas bromine is a liquid, and iodine is a solid because of stronger forces.
Learn more about Intermolecular forces in molecular substances here:
https://brainly.com/question/38372808