The boiling point of higher alkanes are greater than those of lower alkanes due to the reason that1. A. Higher alkanes have greater number of atoms2. B. The polarizability of higher alkanes are greater3. C. Higher alkanes have greater hydrogen bonding4. D. None
Question
The boiling point of higher alkanes are greater than those of lower alkanes due to the reason that1. A. Higher alkanes have greater number of atoms2. B. The polarizability of higher alkanes are greater3. C. Higher alkanes have greater hydrogen bonding4. D. None
Solution
The boiling point of higher alkanes is greater than those of lower alkanes primarily due to option B: The polarizability of higher alkanes is greater.
Here's why:
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A. While it's true that higher alkanes have a greater number of atoms, this is not the primary reason for their higher boiling points.
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B. The polarizability of a molecule increases with its size. Higher alkanes are larger molecules, and thus have greater polarizability. This leads to stronger London dispersion forces (a type of van der Waals force) between molecules, which requires more energy (i.e., a higher temperature) to overcome. This is why higher alkanes have higher boiling points.
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C. Alkanes do not have hydrogen bonding. Hydrogen bonding occurs when hydrogen is bonded to a highly electronegative atom (like nitrogen, oxygen, or fluorine), which is not the case in alkanes.
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D. As explained, the correct answer is not 'None'.
So, the correct answer is B. The polarizability of higher alkanes is greater.
Similar Questions
Based on intramolecular forces, rank the following alkanes in order of the expected decreasing boiling point:A) III > I > IIB) III > II > IC) I > III > IID) II > III > IE) II > I > III
Which of the following alkanes has the lowest boiling point?
Which of the following is/are TRUE about properties of alkanes?A. Alkanes contain only non-polar C-C and C-H bonds.B. Alkanes have high melting and boiling points.C. Alkanes are soluble in water.D. Alkanes have weak intermolecular forces.
Assertion : Boiling point of alkanes increases with increase in molecular weight.Reason : van der Waals forces increase with increase in molecular weight
How do the boiling points of the alkanes change with relative molecular mass?
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