Question

organic chemists identified four different liquids of varying volatilities that they want to test further. they want to compare the overall volatility and intermolecular forces of these liquids.
look at the picture.
for closed beaker, the circles indicate the amount of liquid volatility. a beaker with a large number of circles would have more liquid volatility than a beaker with only a few circles.
which option correctly ranks the liquids in the order of increasing intermolecular forces?
○ⅲ
○ⅰ
○ⅳ
○ⅱ

Explanation:

Volatility is inversely related to intermolecular forces. Liquids with stronger intermolecular forces have lower volatility (fewer particles escape into the vapor phase), and vice - versa. In the given beakers, the number of circles (representing vapor - phase particles) is an indicator of volatility. A higher number of circles means higher volatility and lower intermolecular forces.

• Beaker I has the fewest circles (vapor - phase particles), so it has the strongest intermolecular forces.
• Beaker II has more circles than I but fewer than III and IV.
• Beaker III has more circles than II but fewer than IV.
• Beaker IV has the most circles (highest volatility), so it has the weakest intermolecular forces.

So, the order of increasing intermolecular forces (from weakest to strongest) is based on the number of vapor - phase particles (circles). The more the vapor - phase particles (higher volatility), the weaker the intermolecular forces.

Answer:

A. Ⅳ < Ⅲ < Ⅱ < Ⅰ