What are the strength of intermolecular forces of mythelated spirits ,acetone ,water and ethanol?
To determine the strength of intermolecular forces in methylated spirits, acetone, water, and ethanol, we need to understand the types of intermolecular forces present in each substance.
1. Methylated spirits, also known as denatured alcohol, primarily contains ethanol along with other additives. Ethanol has London dispersion forces as the dominant intermolecular force. These forces occur due to temporary fluctuations in electron distribution, creating temporary dipoles.
2. Acetone, a common organic solvent, has two primary intermolecular forces: dipole-dipole interactions and London dispersion forces. Acetone has a permanent dipole moment due to the presence of the carbonyl group (C=O), leading to dipole-dipole interactions. Additionally, it also experiences London dispersion forces.
3. Water, a polar molecule, exhibits strong intermolecular forces. The dominant forces in water are hydrogen bonding, which occurs due to the hydrogen atoms forming weak bonds with the electronegative oxygen atoms of neighboring water molecules. Hydrogen bonding makes water cohesive and gives it unique properties.
4. Ethanol, similar to water, has hydrogen bonding as its strongest intermolecular force due to the presence of the hydroxyl group (-OH). These hydrogen bonds give ethanol its high boiling point and contribute to its solubility in water.
In summary, the strength of intermolecular forces, from weakest to strongest, is as follows:
- Methylated spirits: London dispersion forces
- Acetone: London dispersion forces and dipole-dipole interactions
- Water: hydrogen bonding
- Ethanol: hydrogen bonding