Question

How do the boiling point and melting point of hydrocarbons change with an increase in molecular mass?

Answer 1

• The boiling point and melting point of hydrocarbon are directly related to molecular mass.
• As the molecular mass of molecules increases, the Vandar Waals force between the molecules will increase.
• Due to an increase in Vandar Waals's force of attraction, the boiling point and melting point of molecules increase.
• Further among the hydrocarbons with same molar mass, the linear hydrocarbons will have more boiling points due to symmetry and can be packed effectively.