Chemistry 9701 · AS & A Level · States of matter

States of matter — practice question

The boiling points for methane, ethane, propane and butane are listed below. $ \begin{aligned} \text{CH}_4 &: 112\,\text{K}\\ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_3 &: 185\,\text{K}\\ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3 &: 231\,\text{K}\\ \text{CH}_3\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{CH}_3 &: 273\,\text{K} \end{aligned} $ Which statement accounts for the rise in boiling point from methane to butane?

  • ACloser packing of molecules results in stronger van der Waals’ forces.
  • BMore covalent bonds are present and therefore more energy is required to break the bonds.
  • CMore electrons in the molecules results in stronger van der Waals’ forces.
  • DMore hydrogen atoms in the molecules results in stronger hydrogen bonding.

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