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 does ice float on water?


How does sodium chloride (salt/grit) lower the freezing point of water?


How many moles are in 50g of NaCl.


When chlorine is bubbled through potassium bromide solution, the solution turns orange. Explain this.