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 do group 1 metals become more reactive as you descend the group?


Explain why graphite conducts electricity.


Describe and explain the reactivity of group 1 metals


What happens at the anode during electrolysis?