Answer to Question #294664 in General Chemistry for Marlis Aviles

Question

Acetone and ethanol have boiling points of 56 °C and 78 °C, respectively. Which do expect to have a higher

vapor pressure at 25°C? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer – The vapor pressure of acetone is higher than the vapor pressure of ethanol at 25°. Dipole-dipole and London dispersion force are present in acetone while hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole, and London dispersion forces are present in ethanol. Ethanol has a strong intermolecular force than acetone due to hydrogen bonding, hence ethanol has higher boiling than acetone. The vapor pressure is indirectly proportional to the boiling point, so acetone has a higher vapor pressure at 25° than ethanol.