What happens to the physical properties(solubility/boiling/melting point) as chain length increases, and as functional groups are added onto the chemical compound?

As chain length increases, the boiling/melting point of hydrocarbon compounds increases. This is because whether a compound will change state from liquid to gas (boil) or not, depends upon the intermolecular forces. The weak, but numerous van der waals forces increase and therefore more energy input is required, therefore BP is greater.

AK
Answered by Abbas K. Chemistry tutor

3761 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Can you describe four variables which affect the rate of a chemical reaction and how they affect the rate?


Explain why bromine reacts more readily with phenol than benzene


Explain what happens to a crystal of iodine when it is heated (5marks)


What factors influence the reaction rate?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning