How does increasing chain length alter the melting and boiling temperatures?

For a substance to melt or boil, heat energy must be supplied. This is to overcome Van der Waals forces. As the length of a chain increases, there are more Van der Waals forces present due to the chain getting longer, meaning more energy is required to break the bonds present. This causes the boiling and melting temperatures to increase.

RS
Answered by Rhea S. Chemistry tutor

7637 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Sodium hydroxide reacts with hydrochloric acid, what are the products formed?


Why do ionically bonded compounds only conduct electricity when molten?


Explain why an atom has no overall charge


Why don't Hydrocarbons and Water Molecules mix, and why might an emulsifier fix this?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning