Water is a small molecule consisting of 3 atoms joined together. (they give the structure of H20.
Alcohol is a large molecule consisting of 9 atoms joined together. (they give alcohol structure)
using this information make a hypothesis that explains the decreased volumes found when mixing the two into a mixture.
I think its the same thing as the basket ball/tennis ball question.
So the water molecules fit in between the alcohol molecules? or do they attach to the structures?
There can be hydrogen bonding between water molecules, between alcohol molecules, AND between alcohol & water molecules. So you might see some "attaching" although those hydrogen bonds are only about 1/20 as strong as regular covalent bonds (and with all of the kinetic motion going on those bonds are being made and broken by the thousands). I think it's the fit between more than any attaching. Also, I'm not sure attaching to one another would save any space while water fitting into holes created by alcohol molecules does save space.
Based on the information provided, we can form a hypothesis to explain the decreased volumes observed when mixing water and alcohol together.
Hypothesis: The decrease in volume observed when mixing water and alcohol can be attributed to the intermolecular forces between the molecules of water and alcohol, which lead to a more compact arrangement.
Explanation: The structure and composition of molecules play a crucial role in determining their physical properties, including volume. Water molecules (H2O) are relatively small and possess a V-shaped structure, with two hydrogen atoms bonded to a single oxygen atom. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a generic term that refers to a class of organic compounds characterized by the presence of an -OH functional group. Depending on the specific alcohol, it can have different arrangements of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, but for simplicity, let's consider ethanol (C2H5OH) as an example.
When water and alcohol are mixed together, the water molecules and alcohol molecules come into contact and interact with each other. The hydrogen bonds in water and the polar nature of ethanol (due to the -OH group) facilitate these intermolecular interactions. Water molecules are capable of forming hydrogen bonds among themselves, which contribute to their relatively high boiling point and cohesive properties.
Now, when water and alcohol are combined, the water molecules can form hydrogen bonds with both alcohol molecules and other water molecules. These intermolecular forces result in a more orderly arrangement of the molecules within the mixture. Since the alcohol molecules are larger in size compared to water molecules, their presence tends to disrupt the structure of the water molecules by occupying more space.
As a result of this arrangement, the total volume of the mixture is reduced compared to the sum of the volumes of the individual components when present separately. This decrease in volume can be attributed to the more compact packing of molecules due to the intermolecular forces between water and alcohol.
It is important to note that the exact decrease in volume depends on factors such as the concentration of alcohol, temperature, and any other substances present in the mixture. Experimental investigations can provide more precise data and insights to validate or refine this hypothesis further.