Properties of Hydrocarbons

How does hydrocarbon chain length affect boiling point?

As chain length increases, boiling point increases.

Why do longer hydrocarbons have higher boiling points?

They have stronger intermolecular forces, requiring more energy to overcome.

How does chain length affect viscosity?

Longer hydrocarbons are generally more viscous.

What is viscosity?

A measure of a liquid's resistance to flow.

Why are long-chain hydrocarbons more viscous?

Their molecules experience stronger intermolecular attractions and become more entangled.

How does chain length affect volatility?

Longer hydrocarbons are generally less volatile.

What is volatility?

How readily a substance evaporates.

Why are short-chain hydrocarbons more volatile?

They have weaker intermolecular forces, so they evaporate more easily.

How does chain length affect flammability?

Shorter hydrocarbons are generally more flammable.

Why are short-chain hydrocarbons easier to ignite?

They are more volatile, allowing flammable vapours to form more readily.

What happens to boiling point as molecular size increases?

It generally increases.

What happens to viscosity as molecular size increases?

It generally increases.

What happens to volatility as molecular size increases?

It generally decreases.

What happens to ease of ignition as chain length increases?

It generally decreases.

Which hydrocarbons flow most easily?

Short-chain hydrocarbons with low viscosity.

Which hydrocarbons evaporate most readily?

Short-chain hydrocarbons with high volatility.

Which hydrocarbons generally have the strongest intermolecular forces?

Long-chain hydrocarbons.

Why do hydrocarbons in different fractions have different physical properties?

Their molecules have different sizes and intermolecular forces.