Table of Contents
Do longer carbon chains have stronger intermolecular forces?
As the carbon chain gets longer, there are more electrons in a molecule. This means that there are more (relatively) stronger intermolecular forces between the molecules.
Does more carbon mean stronger intermolecular forces?
Boiling points and melting points Higher melting and boiling points signify stronger noncovalent intermolecular forces. More carbons means a greater surface area possible for hydrophobic interaction, and thus higher boiling points.
How does branching affect intermolecular forces?
A carbon chain with a lot of branching chains detracts from the surface area of the molecule and disrupts opportunities for intermolecular forces. In this case, (1) the more branches on the hydrocarbon, (2) the less surface area they have so (3) the forces are weaker. Weaker forces result in lower boiling points.
How does branching affect London dispersion forces?
For a branch alkane, the main chain is shorter than its straight chain geometric isomer, and has less surface area of close contact. Thus the branched chain alkane has less efficient London dispersion forces of attraction.
What affects the strength of forces?
Newton’s law also states that the strength of gravity between any two objects depends on two factors: the masses of the objects and the distance between them.
How does shape affect intermolecular forces?
Because molecular size and mass generally parallel each other, dispersion forces tend to increase in strength with increasing molecular weight. Figure 11.6 Molecular shape affects intermolecular attraction. The n-pentane molecules make more contact with each other than do the neopentane molecules.
Why does branching decrease intermolecular forces?
Does branching increase stability?
The branching, it seems, means that the electronic structure is simply more compact and this decreases molecular surface area per atom and so leads to a lowering of energy and a concomitant increase in stability.
How does branching affect dispersion forces?
Branching decreases the boiling point Van der Waals dispersion force is proportional to the surface area. Branching in molecules decreases the surface area thereby decreasing the attractive force between individual molecules. As a result, the boiling point decreases.