Question

Select the single best answer. Predict which of the following liquids has greater surface tension: ethanol (C2H5OH) or dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3).

Answer 1

Ethanol

Explanation :

The molecular structure of ethanol C2H5OH it is seen that there is a hydrogen atom attached to an oxygen atom, hence hydrogen bonding. This makes it has a greater surface tension than dimethyl ether.

Dimethy ether however has dipole moment in its structure. Dipole moments are said to be existent in a molecule when the charges are separated. This makes dimethyl ether have a lower surface tension. In the molecular tructure of dimethyl ether CH3OCH3) the oxygen atom is a negative atom in between two positive methyl group.