Which substance has the greatest intermolecular force: oleic acid; glycerol; acetone; and water?

1 Answer
anor277
Jul 21, 2016

Good question. In effect, you are asking which substance has the greatest degree of intermolecular force,

Explanation:

If we assess intermolecular force, then the most reliable indicator is probably boiling point. Acetone, a fairly short organic molecule has intermediate boiling point if #55# #""^@C#. The normal boiling point of water of course you know. That of glycerol is #290# #""^@C#; of olive oil, oleic acid, approx. #260-300# #""^@C#. Thus we would predict olive oil to have the greatest capillarity. Olive oil is probably the most viscous.

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