{"id":8174,"date":"2026-09-16T17:34:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-16T16:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/boiling-temperature-trends\/"},"modified":"2026-09-22T09:58:49","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T08:58:49","slug":"boiling-temperature-trends","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/boiling-temperature-trends\/","title":{"rendered":"Boiling Point Trends"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"ols-revision-page ols-nature-of-covalent-bonding-9ch0-page\">\n  <style>\n    .ols-revision-page {\n      --navy: #1C244B;\n      --blue: #2563eb;\n      --soft-blue: #eef4ff;\n      --soft-red: #fff7f7;\n      --soft-purple: #f7f0ff;\n      --soft-green: #f0f7f1;\n      --soft-orange: #fff7ed;\n      --grey-text: #667085;\n      --body-text: 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border-radius: 22px; padding: 14px; margin: 18px 0 6px; }\n    .ols-figure-placeholder .ols-figure-caption p { margin: 10px 0 0; font-size: 14px; color: #667085; text-align: center; }\n<\/style>\n\n  <aside class=\"ols-sidebar\">\n  <div class=\"ols-sidebar-header\">\n    <h3>Revision Notes<\/h3>\n    <p>A Level Chemistry<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"ols-topic-group\">\n    <h4>3.6 Intermolecular Forces<\/h4>\n\n    <ul class=\"ols-topic-list\">\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/\">Part overview<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/london-forces\/\">London Forces<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/permanent-dipole-dipole-forces\/\">Permanent Dipole-Dipole Forces<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/hydrogen-bonding\/\">Hydrogen Bonding<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/anomalous-properties-of-water\/\">Anomalous Properties of Water<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/boiling-temperature-trends\/\">Boiling Point Trends<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/choosing-solvents\/\">Choosing Solvents<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"ols-topic-group\">\n    <h4>Other Topic 3 Parts<\/h4>\n\n    <ul class=\"ols-topic-list\">\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/\">Topic 3 overview<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/electronegativity\/\">3.1 Electronegativity<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/ionic-bonding\/\">3.2 Ionic Bonding<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/metallic-bonding\/\">3.3 Metallic Bonding<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/covalent-bonding\/\">3.4 Covalent Bonding<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n      <li>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/shapes-of-molecules\/\">3.5 Shapes of Molecules<\/a>\n      <\/li>\n    <\/ul>\n  <\/div>\n<\/aside>\n\n<script>\r\n(function() {\r\n  function normalisePath(path) {\r\n    return String(path || '')\r\n      .split('?')[0]\r\n      .split('#')[0]\r\n      .replace(\/\\\/+$\/, '')\r\n      .toLowerCase();\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  function highlightActive() {\r\n    var sidebar = document.querySelector('.ols-sidebar');\r\n    if (!sidebar) return false;\r\n\r\n    var currentPath = 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href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/\">Cambridge International (CIE)<\/a> \/\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/\">Topic 3 Chemical Bonding<\/a> \/\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/\">3.6 Intermolecular Forces<\/a> \/\n<span>Boiling Point Trends<\/span>\n<\/nav>\n\n      <header class=\"ols-title-card\">\n        <h1>Boiling Point Trends<\/h1>\n        <p class=\"ols-page-intro\">A concise revision guide to boiling point trends explained by intermolecular forces: alkanes with chain length and branching, alcohols compared with alkanes, and the hydrogen halides HF to HI, for Cambridge International A Level Chemistry.<\/p>\n\n        <div class=\"ols-badges\">\n<div class=\"ols-badge\">AS Level<\/div>\n<div class=\"ols-badge\">Topic 3: Chemical Bonding<\/div>\n<div class=\"ols-badge\">9701 Papers 1 and 2<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n        <div class=\"ols-author\">\n\n    <img decoding=\"async\"\n      class=\"ols-author-avatar-img\"\n      src=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Author-Profile.jpeg\"\n      alt=\"Dr. Mohammed Al-Fatah\"\n    >\n\n    <div class=\"ols-author-content\">\n\n      <h2 class=\"ols-author-title\">\n        Written by:<br><span>Dr. Mohammed Al-Fatah<\/span>\n      <\/h2>\n\n      <p class=\"ols-author-description\">\n        Chemistry specialist revision notes for A Level Chemistry.\n      <\/p>\n\n      <a class=\"ols-linkedin-pill\" href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/doctormohammedfatah\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n        <svg class=\"ols-linkedin-icon\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n          <path d=\"M4.98 3.5C4.98 4.88 3.86 6 2.48 6S0 4.88 0 3.5 1.12 1 2.48 1s2.5 1.12 2.5 2.5zM.5 8h4V24h-4V8zm7 0h3.8v2.2h.1c.5-.9 1.8-2.2 3.9-2.2 4.2 0 5 2.8 5 6.4V24h-4v-7.6c0-1.8 0-4.2-2.6-4.2s-3 2-3 4v7.8h-4V8z\"\/>\n        <\/svg>\n        View LinkedIn Profile\n      <\/a>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n      <\/header>\n\n      <section class=\"ols-h5p-card ols-h5p-inline ols-h5p-recap\">\n<span class=\"ols-h5p-kicker\">Before you start<\/span>\n<h2>GCSE Recap: Size, State and Crude Oil<\/h2>\n<p>Before you start, check what you already know about molecule size and the temperature at which a substance boils.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-h5p-frame\"><div class=\"h5p-content\" data-content-id=\"777\"><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<article class=\"ols-note-card soft\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-title\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-icon\">1<\/div>\n<h2>How Intermolecular Forces Set the Boiling point<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>A substance boils when its molecules gain enough energy to <strong>overcome the intermolecular forces<\/strong> between them, so the stronger the forces, the higher the boiling point. Every trend on this page is explained by asking which forces act between the molecules and what changes their strength: the number of electrons, the shape of the molecule, the presence of a permanent dipole and the presence of hydrogen bonds.<\/p>\n<p>Students should always name the force, state what has changed and finish with the energy statement: &#8220;more energy is needed to separate the molecules&#8221;. A trend described without a force earns nothing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-key-box\">\n<p><strong>Exam answer model:<\/strong> Identify the force \u2192 say why it is stronger or weaker \u2192 &#8220;so more (or less) energy is needed to overcome the forces between the molecules&#8221; \u2192 higher (or lower) boiling point.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"ols-note-card\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-title\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-icon\">2<\/div>\n<h2>Alkanes: Increasing Chain Length<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alkanes are non-polar, so the only force between their molecules is id\u2013id forces. As the chain lengthens, each molecule has more electrons and a larger surface area of contact with its neighbours, so the id\u2013id forces strengthen and the boiling point rises steadily. Methane, ethane, propane and butane are gases at room temperature; pentane to heptadecane are liquids; longer alkanes are waxy solids.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-table-wrap\">\n<table class=\"ols-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr><th>Alkane<\/th><th>Formula<\/th><th>Electrons<\/th><th>boiling point \/ \u00b0C<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td><strong>Methane<\/strong><\/td><td>CH\u2084<\/td><td>10<\/td><td>-162<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Ethane<\/strong><\/td><td>C\u2082H\u2086<\/td><td>18<\/td><td>-89<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Propane<\/strong><\/td><td>C\u2083H\u2088<\/td><td>26<\/td><td>-42<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Butane<\/strong><\/td><td>C\u2084H\u2081\u2080<\/td><td>34<\/td><td>-1<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Pentane<\/strong><\/td><td>C\u2085H\u2081\u2082<\/td><td>42<\/td><td>36<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Hexane<\/strong><\/td><td>C\u2086H\u2081\u2084<\/td><td>50<\/td><td>69<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Heptane<\/strong><\/td><td>C\u2087H\u2081\u2086<\/td><td>58<\/td><td>98<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Octane<\/strong><\/td><td>C\u2088H\u2081\u2088<\/td><td>66<\/td><td>126<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ols-zoom-card\">\n<div class=\"ols-zoom-card-image\">\n<a class=\"ols-lightbox-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/alkane-boiling-temperatures-chain-length-and-branching-v2.jpg\" aria-label=\"Open image full screen\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ols-zoomable-img ols-lightbox-target\" src=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/alkane-boiling-temperatures-chain-length-and-branching-v2.jpg\" alt=\"Boiling points of the straight-chain alkanes from methane to octane, with the three isomers of pentane showing that branching lowers the boiling point\">\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ols-zoom-card-caption\"><p>The boiling point of the alkanes rises with chain length because id\u2013id forces strengthen; at a fixed formula, branching lowers it.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The rise is steepest at the start of the series, because adding one CH\u2082 group to methane increases its electron count by 80%, while adding one to heptane increases it by 14%. This is why the curve flattens as the chain lengthens.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-key-box\">\n<p><strong>Exam sentence:<\/strong> Hexane has a higher boiling point than butane because hexane molecules have more electrons and a larger surface area of contact, so the id\u2013id forces between the molecules are stronger and more energy is needed to overcome them.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<section class=\"ols-h5p-card ols-h5p-inline\">\n<span class=\"ols-h5p-kicker\">Check your understanding<\/span>\n<h2>Quick Check: Two Alkanes You Have Not Met<\/h2>\n<p>Drag the words and numbers into place to build the comparison.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-h5p-frame\"><div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-538\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"538\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Boiling Trends Drag: Nonane Against Dodecane\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<article class=\"ols-note-card purple\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-title\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-icon\">3<\/div>\n<h2>Alkanes: The Effect of Branching<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>Isomers have the same number of electrons, so any difference in their boiling points must come from shape. <strong>Branched alkanes are more compact and nearly spherical, so neighbouring molecules cannot approach each other as closely or over as large an area, the id\u2013id forces are weaker and the boiling point is lower.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-table-wrap\">\n<table class=\"ols-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr><th>C\u2085H\u2081\u2082 isomer<\/th><th>Shape<\/th><th>boiling point \/ \u00b0C<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td><strong>Pentane<\/strong><\/td><td>straight chain<\/td><td>36<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>2-Methylbutane<\/strong><\/td><td>one branch<\/td><td>28<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>2,2-Dimethylpropane<\/strong><\/td><td>four groups on one carbon, almost spherical<\/td><td>10<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>Straight chains can lie side by side along their whole length, like pencils in a box, giving a large area over which instantaneous dipoles can induce dipoles in the neighbour. A ball-shaped molecule touches its neighbours only at a few points.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-key-box\">\n<p><strong>Common mistake:<\/strong> Saying branched isomers have &#8220;fewer electrons&#8221; or &#8220;weaker bonds&#8221;. They have the same electrons and the same C-C and C-H bonds; only the contact area between molecules differs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<section class=\"ols-h5p-card ols-h5p-inline\">\n<span class=\"ols-h5p-kicker\">Check your understanding<\/span>\n<h2>Quick Check: Pick the Accurate Statement<\/h2>\n<p>In each round, choose the one statement about the pair of isomers that is accurate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-h5p-frame\"><div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-539\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"539\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Boiling Trends Summary: What Branching Can and Cannot Change\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<article class=\"ols-note-card\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-title\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-icon\">4<\/div>\n<h2>Alcohols Compared With Alkanes<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>Alcohols have much higher boiling points, and so a much <strong>lower volatility<\/strong>, than alkanes with a similar number of electrons, because the <strong>O-H group<\/strong> lets alcohol molecules form hydrogen bonds with each other, which alkanes cannot do. The fair comparison is between molecules of similar size, so that their id\u2013id forces are similar and the difference can be attributed to the hydrogen bonds.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-table-wrap\">\n<table class=\"ols-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr><th>Compound<\/th><th>Formula<\/th><th>Electrons<\/th><th>Hydrogen bonding?<\/th><th>boiling point \/ \u00b0C<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td><strong>Propane<\/strong><\/td><td>C\u2083H\u2088<\/td><td>26<\/td><td>no<\/td><td>-42<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Ethanol<\/strong><\/td><td>C\u2082H\u2085OH<\/td><td>26<\/td><td>yes<\/td><td>78<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Butane<\/strong><\/td><td>C\u2084H\u2081\u2080<\/td><td>34<\/td><td>no<\/td><td>-1<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Propan-1-ol<\/strong><\/td><td>C\u2083H\u2087OH<\/td><td>34<\/td><td>yes<\/td><td>97<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ols-zoom-card\">\n<div class=\"ols-zoom-card-image\">\n<a class=\"ols-lightbox-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/boiling-temperatures-of-alkanes-and-alcohols-with-equal-electron-counts.jpg\" aria-label=\"Open image full screen\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ols-zoomable-img ols-lightbox-target\" src=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/boiling-temperatures-of-alkanes-and-alcohols-with-equal-electron-counts.jpg\" alt=\"Bar chart comparing propane with ethanol and butane with propan-1-ol: alcohols boil far higher than alkanes with the same number of electrons\">\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ols-zoom-card-caption\"><p>Alcohols boil about 100 \u00b0C higher than alkanes with the same number of electrons because hydrogen bonds act between alcohol molecules in addition to id\u2013id forces.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The 120 \u00b0C gap between propane and ethanol is larger still than the 103 \u00b0C gap that a permanent dipole produced between F\u2082 and HCl, which is one way to remember that hydrogen bonds are stronger than permanent dipole\u2013permanent dipole (pd\u2013pd) forces. Alcohols also have permanent dipole\u2013permanent dipole (pd\u2013pd) forces from the polar C-O and O-H bonds, but these are minor next to the hydrogen bonds, which are several times stronger.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-key-box\">\n<p><strong>Exam sentence:<\/strong> Ethanol has a higher boiling point than propane because ethanol molecules form hydrogen bonds between the O-H groups, which are stronger than the id\u2013id forces between propane molecules, so more energy is needed to separate ethanol molecules.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<section class=\"ols-h5p-card ols-h5p-inline\">\n<span class=\"ols-h5p-kicker\">Check your understanding<\/span>\n<h2>Quick Check: Same Electrons, Very Different Liquids<\/h2>\n<p>Two molecules with 18 electrons each, and 154 \u00b0C between them.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-h5p-frame\"><div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-540\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"540\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Boiling Trends MCQ: Methanol Against Ethane\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<article class=\"ols-note-card soft\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-title\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-icon\">5<\/div>\n<h2>The Hydrogen Halides HF to HI<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>The boiling points of the hydrogen halides do not fall smoothly down the group. <strong>HF is anomalously high because it forms hydrogen bonds; from HCl to HI the boiling point rises because the number of electrons increases and the id\u2013id forces strengthen, even though the permanent dipole becomes smaller.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-table-wrap\">\n<table class=\"ols-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr><th>Hydrogen halide<\/th><th>Electrons<\/th><th>Electronegativity of halogen<\/th><th>Hydrogen bonding?<\/th><th>boiling point \/ \u00b0C<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td><strong>HF<\/strong><\/td><td>10<\/td><td>4.0<\/td><td>yes<\/td><td>20<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>HCl<\/strong><\/td><td>18<\/td><td>3.0<\/td><td>no<\/td><td>-85<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>HBr<\/strong><\/td><td>36<\/td><td>2.8<\/td><td>no<\/td><td>-67<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>HI<\/strong><\/td><td>54<\/td><td>2.5<\/td><td>no<\/td><td>-35<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>The HCl to HI trend is a useful test of understanding, because the dipole and the id\u2013id forces pull in opposite directions. HCl has the largest permanent dipole of the three, yet it has the lowest boiling point, because the extra electrons in HBr and HI produce id\u2013id forces that outweigh the shrinking permanent dipole\u2013permanent dipole (pd\u2013pd) forces. For molecules with a large number of electrons, id\u2013id forces usually dominate.<\/p>\n<p>The Group 14 to 17 hydride graph on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/anomalous-properties-of-water\/\">Anomalous Properties of Water<\/a> page shows the HF anomaly alongside those of water and ammonia; the same drawing serves both pages.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-key-box\">\n<p><strong>Exam sentence:<\/strong> HF has a much higher boiling point than HCl because HF molecules form hydrogen bonds; HI has a higher boiling point than HCl because HI molecules have more electrons, so the id\u2013id forces between them are stronger.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<section class=\"ols-h5p-card ols-h5p-inline\">\n<span class=\"ols-h5p-kicker\">Check your understanding<\/span>\n<h2>Quick Check: Explain a Trend That Fights Itself<\/h2>\n<p>Write a short explanation, then compare it with the mark points and the model answer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-h5p-frame\"><div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-541\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"541\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Boiling Trends Explain: Why Iodomethane Boils Highest\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<article class=\"ols-note-card\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-title\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-icon\">6<\/div>\n<h2>Putting the Trends Together<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<p>When two substances are compared, work through the forces in order of strength and stop at the first difference.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-table-wrap\">\n<table class=\"ols-table\">\n<thead>\n<tr><th>Question to ask<\/th><th>If the answer differs<\/th><th>Example<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr><td><strong>Does one form hydrogen bonds and the other not?<\/strong><\/td><td>The hydrogen-bonded one boils much higher, provided the two molecules are of similar size<\/td><td>ethanol 78 \u00b0C versus propane -42 \u00b0C<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Does one have a permanent dipole and the other not?<\/strong><\/td><td>The polar one boils higher<\/td><td>HCl -85 \u00b0C versus F\u2082 -188 \u00b0C<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Which has more electrons?<\/strong><\/td><td>The one with more electrons boils higher<\/td><td>HI -35 \u00b0C versus HCl -85 \u00b0C<\/td><\/tr>\n<tr><td><strong>Which is less branched?<\/strong><\/td><td>The straighter molecule boils higher<\/td><td>pentane 36 \u00b0C versus 2,2-dimethylpropane 10 \u00b0C<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<p>The first question settles the order only when the two molecules are of a similar size. A long non-polar chain has so many more electrons that it can boil above a short hydrogen-bonded molecule, so check the sizes before you trust the hydrogen bonding step.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Worked example.<\/strong> Put propane, pentane and ethanol in order. Ethanol is the only one with an O-H group, so it forms hydrogen bonds and boils highest. Neither propane nor pentane has a permanent dipole, so compare electrons: pentane has 42 and propane 26, so pentane boils above propane. The order is propane (-42 \u00b0C), pentane (36 \u00b0C), ethanol (78 \u00b0C).<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-key-box\">\n<p><strong>Key idea:<\/strong> Hydrogen bonds outweigh dipoles, dipoles outweigh id\u2013id forces for molecules of similar size, and id\u2013id forces grow with electrons and contact area.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<section class=\"ols-h5p-card ols-h5p-inline\">\n<span class=\"ols-h5p-kicker\">Check your understanding<\/span>\n<h2>Quick Check: Put Six Liquids in Order<\/h2>\n<p>Drag the six substances into order, lowest first, using the four questions from this card.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-h5p-frame\"><div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-778\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"778\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Boiling Trends Sort: Six Liquids in Order\"><\/iframe><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<article class=\"ols-note-card\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-title\">\n<div class=\"ols-note-icon\">7<\/div>\n<h2>Common Exam Points<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Explain the trend in boiling point of the alkanes<\/h3><p>More electrons and larger surface contact, stronger id\u2013id forces, more energy to separate molecules.<\/p>\n<h3>Explain why 2,2-dimethylpropane boils lower than pentane<\/h3><p>Same electrons; more compact shape; smaller area of contact; weaker id\u2013id forces.<\/p>\n<h3>Explain why alcohols are less volatile than alkanes<\/h3><p>Hydrogen bonds between O-H groups, absent in alkanes, need more energy to overcome.<\/p>\n<h3>Explain the order HF > HI > HBr > HCl<\/h3><p>HF: hydrogen bonds; HCl to HI: increasing electrons, stronger id\u2013id forces, outweighing the falling dipole.<\/p>\n<\/article>\n\n<section class=\"ols-faq-card\">\n<h2>FAQs<\/h2>\n<p>Use these quick answers to check the boiling point comparisons that Cambridge International questions set.<\/p>\n\n<div class=\"ols-faq-list\">\n<div class=\"ols-faq-item\">\n<h3>Why does boiling point rise along the alkane series?<\/h3>\n<p>Each extra carbon adds electrons and surface area, so the id\u2013id forces between molecules get stronger and more energy is needed to separate them. The rise flattens along the series because each extra CH\u2082 group is a smaller fraction of the total.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ols-faq-item\">\n<h3>Why do branched alkanes boil lower than straight-chain isomers?<\/h3>\n<p>Isomers have the same number of electrons, so the difference is shape. A branched molecule is compact and touches its neighbours over a smaller area, so the id\u2013id forces are weaker: pentane boils at 36 \u00b0C and 2,2-dimethylpropane at 10 \u00b0C.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ols-faq-item\">\n<h3>Why are alcohols less volatile than alkanes?<\/h3>\n<p>The O-H group lets alcohol molecules hydrogen bond with each other, which alkanes cannot do. Ethanol and propane both have 26 electrons, yet ethanol boils 120 \u00b0C higher.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ols-faq-item\">\n<h3>Why does HF boil higher than HCl, HBr and HI?<\/h3>\n<p>HF molecules form hydrogen bonds, which the other hydrogen halides cannot. From HCl to HI the trend then rises again as the number of electrons increases.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"ols-faq-item\">\n<h3>Which factor wins when they disagree?<\/h3>\n<p>Hydrogen bonding outweighs a permanent dipole, and a permanent dipole outweighs id\u2013id forces for molecules of similar size. Once the electron count differs a great deal, id\u2013id forces dominate, which is why HI boils higher than HCl.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ols-related-card\">\n<h2>Related Intermolecular Forces Pages<\/h2>\n<p>Use these pages to connect the three intermolecular forces with the physical properties they explain.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ols-related-grid\">\n<a class=\"ols-related-item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/london-forces\/\">London Forces<\/a>\n<a class=\"ols-related-item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/permanent-dipole-dipole-forces\/\">Permanent Dipole-Dipole Forces<\/a>\n<a class=\"ols-related-item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/hydrogen-bonding\/\">Hydrogen Bonding<\/a>\n<a class=\"ols-related-item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/anomalous-properties-of-water\/\">Anomalous Properties of Water<\/a>\n<a class=\"ols-related-item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.onlinelearningsystem.net\/xyz\/revision-notes\/a-level-chemistry\/cie\/topic-3-chemical-bonding\/intermolecular-forces\/choosing-solvents\/\">Choosing Solvents<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"ols-attribution-card\">\n        <p><strong>Copyright and author footprint:<\/strong> This OLS revision page was written for Online Learning System by <strong>Dr. Mohammed Al-Fatah<\/strong>. It is designed for A Level Chemistry revision and should not be copied or redistributed without permission.<\/p>\n      <\/section>\n\n      <div class=\"ols-image-lightbox\" id=\"olsImageLightboxNatureCovalentBonding9ch0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" aria-label=\"Expanded revision image\">\n        <div class=\"ols-image-lightbox-inner\">\n          <button class=\"ols-image-lightbox-close\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Close enlarged image\">\u00d7<\/button>\n          <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ols-image-lightbox-img\" src=\"\" alt=\"\">\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <script>\n        (function(){\n          var page = document.querySelector(\".ols-nature-of-covalent-bonding-9ch0-page\");\n          if (!page) { return; }\n          var lightbox = page.querySelector(\"#olsImageLightboxNatureCovalentBonding9ch0\");\n          if (!lightbox) { return; }\n          var lightboxImage = lightbox.querySelector(\".ols-image-lightbox-img\");\n    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