Experiment results show that butane has a higher boiling point than propane, explain why.

When simple molecular substances such as a hydrocrabons are boiled, the intermolecular forces between the molecules are broken down. Heat energy is required to break down these forces. Butane is larger than propane and the larger a molecule is, the more intermolecular forces there are between those molecules. If there are more intermolecular forces between molecules, more energy is needed to break those bonds down, resulting in the larger chained hydrocarbons (butane in this case) having higher boiling points.

RK
Answered by Ryan K. Chemistry tutor

20588 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why does Sodium Chloride have high melting point?


Graphite and diamond are both made from carbon atoms. Why can graphite conduct electricity while diamond cannot?


Explain why, when a reversible reaction reaches equilibrium, the reaction appears to have stopped.


How to balance equations


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning