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

20832 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why does the temperature decrease in the endothermic reaction?


What does reversible mean?


how do emulsifier molecules able to produce an emulsion that is a stable mixture containing vegetable oil and water?


What happens at the anode during electrolysis?


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