Does water have a stronger intermolecular force than liquid ethanol?
Yes, but do you know why?
Water has a larger specific heat?
I don't think so. Water is a more polar molecule than ethanol.
To compare the intermolecular forces in water and liquid ethanol, we need to examine their molecular structures.
Water (H2O) has a bent molecular shape with two hydrogen atoms bonded to an oxygen atom. It forms hydrogen bonds between the positive hydrogen atoms of one water molecule and the negative oxygen atom of another water molecule. These hydrogen bonds contribute to the strong intermolecular forces in water.
Liquid ethanol (C2H5OH) consists of ethane (C2H6) with one of the hydrogen atoms replaced by a hydroxyl group (-OH). Ethanol molecules have a linear shape and do not form hydrogen bonds. Instead, they have weaker intermolecular forces called van der Waals forces, specifically London dispersion forces and dipole-dipole interactions.
Therefore, water has a stronger intermolecular force compared to liquid ethanol due to the presence of hydrogen bonding.