Based only on intermolecular attraction,predict which of the following liquids has the highest vapor pressure.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The molecule with the highest vapor pressure will be the one with the weakest intermolecular forces. The intermolecular forces in all of the options are van der Waals forces, but the length of the carbon chain affects the strength of the forces. As the length of the carbon chain increases, the surface area of the molecule increases, and so do the dispersion forces between molecules. Therefore, the molecule with the shortest carbon chain, which is E (CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-CH₂-CH₃), will have the weakest intermolecular forces and the highest vapor pressure.

Based Only on Intermolecular Attraction,predict Which of the Following Liquids