How does increasing chain length alter the melting and boiling temperatures?

For a substance to melt or boil, heat energy must be supplied. This is to overcome Van der Waals forces. As the length of a chain increases, there are more Van der Waals forces present due to the chain getting longer, meaning more energy is required to break the bonds present. This causes the boiling and melting temperatures to increase.

RS

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Why are elements of group 0 chemically inert?


What is a covalent bond?


Explain what oxidation and reduction means in terms of electrons.


How many electrons are in a chloride ion Cl- and how are they arranged in the shells? a periodic table can be used.