Chapter 2, Problem 43P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason that the unbranched isomers are less stable and boils at higher temperature while alkane branched isomer boils at the lower temperature because of its stability are to be explained.

Concept introduction:

The stability of a molecule depends on the relative strengths of attractive and repulsive forces between the atoms of the molecule.

The strength of attractive forces between the atoms increases more rapidly than the strength of repulsive forces as the structure of the molecule becomes more and more compact while the chemical formula remains the same.

The strength of intermolecular forces and attractive force between the molecule, affects the boiling point of a compound. Strength of IMFs increases with increasing surface area of the molecule when the number of valence electrons is the same. The surface area of a molecule is larger when it is less branched.