In each of the following pairs, which one has the lower viscosity?
a. #"HCOOH"# or #"C"_8"H"_18#
b. #"C"_2"H"_5"Cl"# or #"CH"_3"OH"#
a.
b.
1 Answer
a.
Explanation:
The viscosity of a liquid is determined by its intermolecular forces.
The stronger the intermolecular forces, the more difficult it is for the molecules to slide past each other.
a.
So we predict that
The prediction is confirmed by the actual viscosities.
The viscosity of
b.
Confirmation: The viscosity of