Question

Neighboring molecules line up so that

opposite ends of dipoles align, resulting in
attractions.
For example, acetone has a dipole along
its C=O bond.
In a population of acetone molecules,
there are attractions among these
dipoles.
Therefore it is a __ instead of a gas.

Answer 1

Due to the dipole-dipole attractions among acetone molecules resulting from their polar C=O bonds, acetone is a liquid at room temperature, rather than a gas.

Step-by-step explanation:

Neighboring molecules line up such that opposite ends of dipoles align, resulting in attractions. For example, acetone, which has a dipole along its C=O bond, aligns with other acetone molecules to maximize the dipole-dipole interactions.

These intermolecular forces cause acetone to be a liquid at room temperature rather than a gas. Dipole-dipole interactions are a type of electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ends of polar molecules, leading to a higher melting and boiling point in polar substances compared to nonpolar substances of similar molecular mass. Therefore, due to the dipole-dipole attractions present among acetone molecules, acetone exists in the liquid state under normal conditions, making it a liquid instead of a gas.