Question

Based on their formulas and specific heat capacity (4.184 J/g°C for water and 2.43 J/g°C for ethanol), what conclusion can you draw about their intermolecular forces? (Water → H2O & ethyl alcohol → C2H5OH) A) They have very different intermolecular forces, and, overall, water has stronger intermolecular forces. B) They have very different intermolecular forces and, overall, ethanol has stronger intermolecular forces. C) They both have similar intermolecular forces but, overall, ethyl alcohol has stronger intermolecular forces. D) They both have similar intermolecular forces but, overall, water has stronger intermolecular forces.

Answer 1

Answer: Option D) They both have similar intermolecular forces but, overall, water has stronger intermolecular forces.

Explanation:

Since specific heat capacity indicates the amount of heat required to raise a unit of a substance by 1°c; a higher value of 4.184 J/g°C for water justifies that more heat energy is required to break through and raise by 1°c the molecules of water unlike ethanol.