You are helping your friend study for their exam, and they want to know how to tell if a substance is likely to be solid, liquid, or gas at room temperature. Since you understand the structure of molecules and the importance of IMFs, you are able to make predictions about the three chemicals below. Think about structure and bonding to answer the questions.
Pentane, 2,2,3-trimethylbutane, and octadecane ($C_{18}H_{38}$)
Which hydrocarbon is likely to be a liquid at room temperature? and Why?
2,2,3-trimethylbutane because it does NOT stack well.
Octadecane because it does NOT stack well.
Octadecane because it is the heaviest molecule.
Pentane because it has increased stacking.
2,2,3-trimethylbutane because it does NOT contain polar groups.
Pentane because it is the smallest molecule.
