Chapter 11, Problem 37P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason for rapid increase in boiling point from methane to ethane to propane in comparison to heptane to nonane and from nonane to decane should be explained.

Concept Introduction:

The compound containing longest parent chain of carbon have high boiling point due to the bulkiness of the structure while the compound containing shortest parent chain of carbon have low boiling point.

Moreover, straight chain have large surface area which increases the possibility of area of contact with other chain which results in higher Vander Waal forces between them and thus increases the boiling point.