Question #271b0

1 Answer
Sep 14, 2017

The order is

"CH"_3"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"OH" > "CH"_3"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"OH" > "CH"_3"CH"_2"CH"_2"OH" > "CH"_3"CH"_2"OH"

Explanation:

The alcohol with the strongest surface tension will be the one with the strongest intermolecular forces.

In each alcohol, the strongest intermolecular force is hydrogen bonding caused by the "OH" group.

However, as the nonpolar hydrocarbon chain grows longer, it "dilutes" the effect of the hydrogen bonding.

Thus, the alcohol with the shortest chain will have the strongest surface tension.

∴ The order is

"CH"_3"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"OH" > "CH"_3"CH"_2"CH"_2"CH"_2"OH" > "CH"_3"CH"_2"CH"_2"OH" > "CH"_3"CH"_2"OH"