Question

Which substance has the greatest intermolecular force: oleic acid; glycerol; acetone; and water?

Answer 1

Good question. In effect, you are asking which substance has the greatest degree of intermolecular force,

Explanation:

If we assess intermolecular force, then the most reliable indicator is probably boiling point. Acetone, a fairly short organic molecule has intermediate boiling point if `55` `""^@C`. The normal boiling point of water of course you know. That of glycerol is `290` `""^@C`; of olive oil, oleic acid, approx. `260-300` `""^@C`. Thus we would predict olive oil to have the greatest capillarity. Olive oil is probably the most viscous.