Explain why longer chain alkanes have a higher boiling point than shorter chains.
For the boiling point to be reached all of the intermolecular bonds must be broken. In an alkane the only two elements are hydrogen and carbon. The molecular structure of the alkane means that the intermolecular bond is an induced dipole-dipole/ van dar Waals force. The longer the chain, the more van dar Waals forces there is to break so more energy required therefore higher boiling point.
AJ
Related Chemistry A Level answers
All answers ▸State the relative charge and relative mass of a proton, of a neutron and of an electron. In terms of particles, explain the relationship between two isotopes of the same element. Explain why these isotopes have identical chemical properties.
why does silicon dioxide have such a high melting/boiling point?
What happens to the physical properties(solubility/boiling/melting point) as chain length increases, and as functional groups are added onto the chemical compound?
At room temperature and pressure, the first 4 alkanes are all gases, but the first 4 alcohols are all liquids. Explain this.