When chemists convert ethene open paren cap c sub 2 cap h sub 2 close paren to ethanol open paren CH sub 3 CH sub 2 OH close paren , they have a mixture of the two gaseous substances. Why do chemists then lower the temperature of the mixture?
Answer
A
to collect liquid ethene and leave ethanol as a gas because ethene has stronger dipole-dipole forces
B
to collect liquid ethanol and leave ethene as a gas because ethene has stronger London dispersion forces
C
to collect liquid ethene and leave ethanol as a gas because ethanol has stronger London dispersion forces
D
to collect liquid ethanol and leave ethene as a gas because ethanol has hydrogen bonds
Explanation
Ethanol molecules form hydrogen bonds because each molecule has an O–H group. These attractions make ethanol condense into a liquid at a much higher temperature than ethene, whose molecules have only weak dispersion forces. Cooling the mixture can therefore collect liquid ethanol while ethene remains a gas, as choice D states.
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