Why is methane a gas, octane a liquid, and eicosane a solid?
The formula of Methane is CH4 and its molecular mass is 16 U and there is no any strong attraction forces between molecules and molecules are far away to each other so it existing as gas.
The formula of Octane is C8H18 and its molecular mass is 114 U. Due to larger mass there are inter molecular interactions between the molecules so molecules are close to each other so it exists as liquid.
The formula of Eicosane is C20H42 and its molecular mass is 282 U. Due to very large mass there are more interaction between the molecules and molecules are very close to each other so it exists as solid.
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