Evaporation and intermolecular attractions problems
1. What are some structural features of a substance that might influence
its ability to evaporate? For instance, compare the two substances
below and list at least three different structural features that might
lead to differences in their properties:
Compound Formula
octane C8H14
2-butanol C4H10O
2. A substance evaporates from the surface of a temperature probe. What
do you think happens to the temperature of the probe—does it increase
or decrease? Explain.
3. What does the term “volatility” mean? What does it mean for Substance
A to be more volatile than Substance B?
4. The temperature of the probe changes as the substance evaporates. The
more evaporation there is, the greater the change in temperature.
Which will produce a larger change in temperature (ΔT): a more volatile
substance or a less volatile substance? Explain.
5. Based on #4 above, true or false: A large change in temperature (ΔT)
indicates that strong attractions are present in the evaporating
substance. Explain.