Nonane (b) has the highest melting point.
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A caveat: I'm assuming that we're dealing with the straight-chain isomers of these alkanes (specifically pentane and nonane). The straight-chain isomer of pentane (<em>n</em>-pentane, CH3-[CH2]3-CH3) has a melting point of -129.8 °C; the straight-chain isomer of nonane (<em>n-</em>nonane, CH3-[CH2]7-CH3) has a melting point of -53.5 °C. The pattern holds as you go down (or up): The more carbon atoms, the higher the melting point. So, in decreasing order of melting points here, you'd have the following: nonane > pentane > butane > ethane.
However, one structural isomer of pentane, neopentane, has a melting point of -16.4 °C, which is <em>higher </em>that the melting point of <em>n</em>-nonane despite neopentane having the same molecular formula as its straight-chain isomer. Of course, you're not to blame for coming up with this question; this is just some extra info to keep in mind.
Answer:
If an atom gains or loses an electron, it bacomes an ion. An atom that gains a negative electron, it becomes a negative ion. If it loses an electron it becomes a positive ion
Explanation:
A lithium atom has 3 protons and 3 electrons. It can lose one of its electrons, making it an ion. It now has more positive protons than electrons so it has an overall positive charge. Therefore it is a positive ion.
A fluorine atom will tend to gain, rather than lose, an electron. By gaining a negative electron, it has an overall negative charge. It has become a negative ion.
