... Hydrocarbons have very weak intermolecular forces, which are the attractive forces between molecules. … propane has weaker intermolecular forces than butane. It has a role as a food propellant and a refrigerant. b. weaker intermolecular forces -- butane. Butane. For example, the hydrocarbon molecules butane and 2-methylpropane both have a molecular formula C 4 H 10, but the atoms are arranged differently. c. lower boiling point -- butane. Butane is a straight chain alkane composed of 4 carbon atoms. Get your answers by asking now. Intermolecular and intramolecular forces. It is a gas molecular entity and an alkane. Therefore, all three common types of intermolecular forces (also called van der Waals forces) are exhibited by water. Join Yahoo Answers and get 100 points today. In this case, the only intermolecular force exhibited by any of these molecules are London dispersion forces. d. more polar --- 1-propanol. Butane has a higher boiling point because the dispersion forces are greater. Isobutane: Isobutane is a structural isomer of n-butane. Both propane and butane can be compressed to form a liquid at room temperature. 1 0. Chemical Structure. In butane the carbon atoms are arranged in a single chain, but 2-methylpropane is a shorter chain with a branch. Water is a classic example of hydrogen bonding. The magnitude of London dispersion forces decreases with a decrease in molecule size (carbon chain length and molecular surface area). Isobutane: Isobutane is essentially a branched structure. Butane: Butane is a mixture of linear structures and branched structures. These forces are generally stronger with increasing molecular mass, so propane should have the lowest boiling point and n -pentane should have the highest, with the two butane isomers falling in between. 4.5 Intermolecular Forces. Dipole-dipole attractions result from the electrostatic attraction of the partial negative end of one dipolar molecule for the partial positive end of another. Between butane molecules, there would just be van der Waals forces. The boiling point of propane at 1 atm is lower than the boiling point of butane at 1 atm because. The four compounds are alkanes and nonpolar, so London dispersion forces are the only important intermolecular forces. Intermolecular attractive forces, collectively referred to as van der Waals forces, are responsible for the behavior of liquids and solids and are electrostatic in nature. Still have questions? Intermolecular forces gjr-–-• Bonding within a molecule obviously has a great effect on its properties • But as important is the forces between molecules - intermolecular forces • The 3 isomers above have different bp due to different intermolecular forces 2 2-methylbutane bp 28°C pentane bp 36.2°C 2,2-dimethylpropane bp 9.6 °C O H 57 State, in terms of intermolecular forces, why the boiling point of propane at 1 atmosphere is lower than the boiling point of butane at 1 atmosphere. Butane: Butane is a hydrocarbon that can occur in several forms as isomers. [1] HIGHLIGHT TO SEE THE ANSWER. Ask Question + 100. Boiling Point. 1-butanol exhibits London dispersion forces, a little less dipole-dipole attraction than water and hydrogen bonding (but less than water since the alcohol has only one hydrogen). The phase in which a substance exists depends on the relative extents of its intermolecular forces (IMFs) and the kinetic energies (KE) of its molecules. 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