Question

How do you rank the following alkanes in order of increasing boiling point?
a. hexane
b. 2-methylpentane
c. octane

Answer 1

Here are some alkanes in order of increasing boiling point: Propane (C3H8), Pentane (C5H12), Heptane (C7H16), Nonane (C9H20).

Boiling points reflect the strength of forces between molecules. The more molecules stick together, the more energy it takes to convert them into gases.

Here are some other boiling points for alkanes:

Hexane: 69°C

Octane: 126°C

Decane: 174°C

Undecane: 196°C

Boiling points also decrease with decreasing branching. For example, the boiling point of hexane is greater than that of pentane.

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