Question

Place the following compounds in order of decreasing strength of intermolecular forces. I. CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3 II. (CH3)3CCH3 III. (CH3)3CCH2CH3 Group of answer choices

Answer 1

Explanation:

Strength of intermolecular forces depends on the number of carbon atoms present in a compound. More is the number of carbon atoms attached linearly  to each other more will be the surface area occupied by it. Hence, more is the strength of the compound.

This means that more is the branching present in a compound or lesser is the number of carbon atoms present in it then less will be the strength of intermolecular forces in the compound.

Thus, we can conclude that given compounds are placed in order of decreasing strength of intermolecular forces as follows.

$CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2CH_2CH_3$ > $(CH_3)_3CCH_2CH_3$ > $(CH_3)_3CCH_3$