Question

1. Why does Paraffin Wax has a broader melting point range compares to 1-Octadecene?

2. Continue the first question, suggest a reason for the ordering of the melting points you observed. Consider the types of intermolecular forces and molecular weights of each sample.

Answer 1

The answer to this question is quite simple

01.

The parafin wax melts over a range of temperature and 1 octa decene melts at a sharp point is due to their nature itself

Parafin wax is amorphous substance and this makes it melt over a range

Where as octadecene has crystalline nature and hence melts at sharp temp

02. The crystalline solids have intermolecular forces which all brake at a time at certain temp and hence we get a sharp melting point

Where as in amorphous solids the bonds does not break at once making it melt at a range of temp

I hope this helps. If you have any query or want more detailed explanation, feel free to ask in the comments section below.