Chapter 14, Problem 1RAT

Why does the melting point of hydrocarbons get higher as the number of carbon atoms per molecule increases?

(a) An increase in the number of carbon atoms per molecules also means an increase in the density of the hydrocarbon.

(b) The induced dipole-induced dipole molecular attractions become stronger.

(c) Larger hydrocarbon chains tend to be branched.

(d) The molecular mass also increases.