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.

Related questions
See all questions in Factors Affecting Solubility
Impact of this question
2350 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License