Question

Arrange the following substances in decreasing order of their boiling points:

• A. Water, ethanol, acetone
• B. Ethanol, acetone, water
• C. Acetone, water, ethanol
• D. Water, acetone, ethanol

Hint:

Boiling point is influenced by the nature of intermolecular forces: hydrogen bonding leads to higher boiling points, while weaker forces like dipole-dipole interactions result in lower boiling points.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Intermolecular force strength dictates a substance's boiling point. Stronger forces result in higher boiling points. - Water (H2O) possesses hydrogen bonding, a potent intermolecular force, leading to its highest boiling point. - Ethanol (C2H5OH) also features hydrogen bonding, but its intermolecular forces are weaker than water's due to larger molecular size and reduced polarity. - Acetone (CH3COCH3) exhibits dipole-dipole interactions, which are less forceful than hydrogen bonding. Consequently, boiling points diminish in this sequence: Water > Ethanol > Acetone.