Question

Why does ethane have a higher boiling point than methane?

• A. Difference in size
• B. Functional group
• C. Difference in shape
• D. None of above

Answer 1

The correct option is A Difference in size

Ethane have a higher boiling point than methane because molecules of ethane ($C_2{H}_6$) have more Van der Waals forces (intermolecular forces) with neighboring molecules than methane ($C{H}_4$) due to the greater number of atoms present in the molecule of ethane compared to methane.