Explain why lower alkanes are gaseous in state and higher alkane are l

1.	Explain why lower alkanes are gaseous in state and higher alkane are liquid in state ?
Answer» Solution :* The first FOUR member, `C_(1)` to `C_(4)` are gases, `C_(5)` to `C_(17)` are liquids and those containing 18 carbon atoms or more are solids at 298 K. Because they possess weak van der Waals forces in alkane C-C and C-H bonds are there. DIFFERENCE of electronegativitiy is very less (0.1), therefore, they are charged less. There is weak van der Waals force betwen C and H. Therefore at normal temperature alkanes are gaseous and liquid state.

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