C5H12, pentane, is a liquid at room temperature. Can we predict from this information whether C4H10, butane, will be a liquid at room temperature?

A)Yes, it will be a liquid since pentane is a liquid.
B)Yes, it will be a liquid since it contains 4 carbon atoms.
C)We cannot be sure unless we find out its boiling point.
D)We cannot be sure unless we get the boiling point of propane, C3H8.

C)We cannot be sure unless we find out its boiling point.

Explanation:

It is necessary to clearly explain here that simply observing two compounds of the same homologous series irrespective of how close they may be in the series will not give us the faintest idea regarding which one will be a liquid, solid or gas at room temperature.

However, to determine whether an unknown substance will be a liquid at room temperature, then its important to measure its boiling point. If the boiling point is above room temperature, and the melting point is below room temperature, the compound is a liquid. If the boiling point of the unknown substance is below room temperature, it is a gas.

It is now safe to conclude that cannot decide on the state of matter in which a compound exists unless we know something about its boiling point, not merely looking closely at the properties of its neighbouring compounds in the same homologous series

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