At standard room temperature (298 K), what are the expected physical states of n-butane (), n-decane — Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Due to weak van der Waals forces, the physical states of unbranched alkanes at room temperature follow a trend based on molecular mass: $C_1$ to $C_4$ are gases, $C_5$ to $C_{17}$ are liquids, and alkanes containing 18 or more carbon atoms (like $C_{20}H_{42}$) are waxy solids.