STATES AND PHASES OF

MATTER
Solu ons of Quick Checks
Quick Check 5.1
A) Explain why gases can be compressed easily?
Ans. Gases can be compressed easily because the particles in a gas are far apart from each
other. When pressure is applied, these particles can be forced closer together, significantly
reducing the volume of the gas.
B) What is Joule-Thomson effect?
Ans. The Joule-Thomson effect describes the temperature change of a real gas or liquid when
it is forced through a small hole while kept insulated so that no heat is exchanged with the
surroundings.
C) The volume of 21g a gas is 8 dm3 at - 90°C under 7 atm pressure. Calculate the
relative molecular mass of the gas.
Ans. We can use the ideal gas law to solve this problem:
PV = nRT
Where:
P = pressure = 7 atm
V = volume = 8 dm3 = 8 L (since 1 dm3 = 1 L)
n = number of moles of the gas
R = ideal gas constant = 0.0821 L atm mo-1K-1
T= temperature = -90 °C=-90+273.15 =183.15 K
First, let's calculate the number of moles (n) of the gas:
n=PV/ RT= (7 atm) x (8L)/ (0.0821L atm mol-1 K-1) x (183.15 K)
=(56 / 15.036615)mol = 3.724 mol
We are given that the mass of the gas is 21 g. The relative molecular mass (M) is the mass
per mole:
M= mass/ number of moles
=21g /3.724mol
= 5.639g/mol
Quick Check 5.2
A) To improve the quality of gasoline(petrol), straight chain hydrocarbons in the
gasoline fraction of petroleum are converted to branched chain ones? What could
be the possible reason?
Ans. The quality of gasoline is often indicated by its octane number. Branched-chain
hydrocarbons generally have higher octane numbers compared to their straight-chain isomers.
B) Which forces are present among the molecules of the following substances? CCl4,
SiF4
Ans. To determine the intermolecular forces present, find the polarity of the molecules. This
depends on the electronegativity difference between the atoms and the molecular geometry.
Due to their symmetry, in both CCl4, SiF4, the individual bond dipoles cancel each other out,
resulting in a nonpolar molecule. The only intermolecular forces present in nonpolar molecules
are London Dispersion Forces (LDFs), also known as induced dipole-induced dipole forces or
van der Waals forces.
C) Differentiate id-id and pd-pd forces with examples.
Ans:
Feature id-id Forces (London pd-pd Forces (Dipole-
Dispersion) Dipole)
Type of Molecules Non-polar molecules Polar molecules
Cause of Attraction Temporary shift in electron Attraction between
cloud creating momentary permanent partial charges
dipoles (dipoles)
Strength Weak (increases with molar Stronger than id-id, but
mass and surface area) weaker than hydrogen bonds
Example Substances He, Ne, CH4, 12 HCI, SO2, CH3CI

Quick Check 5.4

A) Can the CHF3 molecule make a hydrogen bond? Explain why or why not?
Ans. Yes, the CHF3 molecule can participate in hydrogen bonding. The presence of three highly
electronegative fluorine atoms bonded to the same carbon makes the carbon atom quite
electron-deficient. This results in the hydrogen atom in CHF3 carrying a significant partial
positive charge. This partially positive hydrogen can then be attracted to a lone pair of electrons
on a highly electronegative atom (like F, O, or N) of another molecule.
B) Show a hydrogen bond between two molecules of ethanol.
Ans. A hydrogen bond between two ethanol molecules occurs between the partially positive
hydrogen atom of one -OH group and a lone pair of electrons on the partially negative oxygen
atom of another-OH group.

C) Describe which forces are present in the following and arrange them in increasing
order of boiling point.
1. CH3CH2CH3
ii. CH3CH2OH
iii. CH3CH2Cl
Ans. i. CH3CH2CH3 (Propane): Propane is a nonpolar hydrocarbon. The only intermolecular
forcer present are London Dispersion Forces (LDFs).
ii. CH3CH2OH (Ethanol): Ethanol is capable of hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole forces and
London Dispersion Forces (LDFs).
iii. CH3CH2Cl (Chloroethane): Chloroethane exhibits dipole-dipole forces and London
Dispersion Forces (LDFs).
Increasing order of boiling point is: CH3CH2CH3< CH3CH2Cl< CH3CH2OH
 D) The boiling point difference in each of the following pairs is given
i. CH3CH3(-89 deg ) and CH3OH (65 deg) difference = 154 deg.
ii. CH3CH2 CH2 CH4 (0 deg) and CH3CH2 CH2OH (97 deg) difference = 97 deg .
E) Explain why the difference decreases as the size of the molecules increases.
Ans. In the first pair, ethane is a very small molecule with weak LDFs. Methanol has hydrogen
bonding, which is much stronger, leading to a large boiling point difference.
In the second pair, propane is larger than ethane, so its LDFs are stronger than those in ethane.
Ethanol is larger than methanol, so its LDFs are also stronger than those in methanol.
F) Molecules of ethanoic acid (acetic acid) exist in the form of dimers in pure form
but not in aqueous solution. How hydrogen bond can explain this?
Ans. In the pure form of ethanoic acid, two molecules can form strong hydrogen bonds with
each other, creating a cyclic dimer structure.

In aqueous Solution. Water molecules are also capable for forming strong hydrogen bonds with
ethanoic acid molecules.

Quick Check 5.5

A) Arrange following liquids is increasing order of surface tension, give reason: Acetone
(CH3COCH3) ethanol (C2H5OH) methoxy methane (dimethyl ether, CH3OCH3)
Ans. (i) Methoxy (CH3OCH3 ): Primarily dipole-dipole and LDFs.
(ii) Acetone ( CH3COCH3) Primarily dipole-dipole and LDFs (slightly stronger dipole than
methoxy methane due to the C = O bond).
(iii) Ethanol (C2H5OH): Strong hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole, and LDFs.
Increasing order of surface tension: Methoxy methane < Acetone < Ethanol
B) Why do you think tetrachloro methane (carbon tetrachloride, CCl₁) has higher
viscosity than chlroform (CHCl3) but less than ethanol (C2H5OH)?
Ans. Viscosity is related to the intermolecular forces and the shape of the molecules.CCI4 has
stronger LDFs than CHCI3 because it is larger and has more electrons. Stronger LDFs lead to
greater intermolecular attraction and thus higher viscosity. Ethanol has the highest viscosity
because it can form strong hydrogen bonds, which are much stronger than the dipole-dipole
forces in CHCl3 and the LDFs in CCl4. These strong hydrogen bonds create a greater resistance
to the movement of molecules past each other.
Therefore, the order of increasing viscosity is: Chloroform < Tetrachloromethane < Ethanol
C) Drugs with higher viscosity are not oxidized easily, justify.
Ans. Higher viscosity means that the molecules are more resistant to movement and mixing.
Oxidation reactions typically involve the interaction of a drug molecule with an oxidizing
agent. If a drug has higher viscosity:
(i) The movement of the oxidizing agent molecules to the drug molecules is hindered.
(ii) The diffusion of the oxidizing agent through the drug medium is slower.
(iii) The mixing of the drug and the oxidizing agent at a molecular level is less efficient.
All these factors reduce the frequency of effective collisions between the drug molecules and
the oxidizing agent, thus slowing down or preventing the oxidation process. Therefore, higher
viscosity can act as a physical barrier, protecting the drug molecules from being easily oxidized.
D) The viscosity of honey is higher than water, explain why.
Ans. The higher viscosity of honey compared to water is primarily due to its composition,
which is a concentrated solution of sugars (mainly fructose and glucose).
(i) Strong Intermolecular forces
(ii) Large Size and shape of molecules
(iii) High Concentration
E) Which of the following is more viscous: glycerine (CH2OHCH2OHCH2OH) or
hexane (C6H6)? Why?
Ans: Glycerine is more viscous than hexane. Glycerine has three -OH group per molecule,
enabling extensive and strong hydrogen bonding between glycerine molecules. Hexane is
nonpolar hydrocarbon. The only intermolecular forces present are London Dispersion Forces(
LDFs). The strong hydrogen bonding is the primary reason for its much higher viscosity
compare to hexane, which only exhabits weaker London Dispersion Forces.
Quick Check 5.6
A) Which of the liquids in each of the following pairs has a higher vapour pressure?
i) Alcohol, glycerine
ii) Petrol, kerosene,
iii) Mercury, water?
Ans. i) Alcohol, glycerine: Alcohols has one -OH group for hydrogen bonding and Glycerine
(CH₂OHCHOHCH₂OH) has three-OH groups. Alcohol has a higher vapour pressure.
ii) Petrol, kerosene: Both petrol (gasoline) and kerosene are mixtures of hydrocarbons. Petrol
consists of smaller hydrocarbons (typically C5-C12), while kerosene contains larger
hydrocarbon (typically C12-C15). Larger hydrocarbons have stronger London Dispersion
Forces (LDFs) due to their larger size and more electrons. Stronger intermolecular forces lead
to lower vapour pressure Petrol has a higher vapour pressure.
iii) Mercury, water: Mercury (Hg) is a metal with strong metallic bonding between its atoms.
This results in strong cohesive forces within the liquid, Water (H₂O) is a polar molecule capable
of strong hydrogen bonding. Water's hydrogen bonding is significant, but mercury's metallic
bonding is quite strong.
B) Which one in each of the following pairs is more viscous: Glycerine, kerosene?
Ans. Glycerine (CH₂OHCHOHCH₂OH) has strong and extensive hydrogen bonding due to its
three -OH groups, leading to high viscosity. Kerosene is a mixture of larger hydrocarbons (C12-
C15) These molecules have significant London Dispersion Forces due to their size,
contributing to viscosity. However, they lack the strong hydrogen bonding present in glycerine.
Glycerine is more viscous than kerosene.
 C) Separate portions of acetone and water at the same temperature are poured on
your hands. The acetone feels colder. Account for this in terms of attractive forces.
Ans. This happens when a liquid evaporates from your skin. Acetone is a polar molecule with
dipole-dipole interactions and LDFs. Its intermolecular forces are weaker than those, in water.
Therefore, acetone evaporates more readily has a higher vapour pressure than water at the same
temperature.
D) Why evaporation gets faster at higher temperatures?
Ans. At higher temperatures. The average kinetic energy of the liquid molecules increases
while the strength of intermolecular forces doesn't change directly with temperature, the
increased kinetic energy makes it easier for molecules to break free from these attractions and
the rate of evaporation increases significantly with increasing temperature.
E) Why do we feel cool near the bank of a river?
Ans. We feel cool near the bank a river due to the process of evaporation. water molecules at
the surface of the river gain energy from their surroundings and change into a gaseous state,
taking heat energy with them. This process lowers the temperature of the surroundings, making
us feel cooler.
Quick Check 5.7
A) Why food cooking is difficult in the areas with high altitudes?
Ans. Food cooking is difficult at high altitudes because the atmospheric pressure is lower than
at sea level. At lower atmospheric pressure (high altitudes), water reaches its boiling point at a
lower temperature than the standard 100 °C at sea level. For example, at a high altitude, water
might boil at 80-90 °C.

B) The food cooks fatser in the pressure cooker, explain.

Ans. A pressure cooker is a sealed container that traps the steam produced when water is heated.
This trapped steam increases the pressure inside the cooker. As the pressure increases, the
boiling point of water also increases. The increased pressure inside a pressure cooker raises the
boiling point of water, allowing food to cook faster and more efficiently at higher temperatures.
C) Why the boiling point of water (100°C) is higher than that of ethanol (78°C),
although they have hydrogen bonds?
Ans. Both water and ethanol exhibit hydrogen bonding, the greater extent and slightly stronger
nature of hydrogen bonding in water, along with its smaller size and higher polarity, result in
stronger overall intermolecular forces, leading to a higher boiling point compared to ethanol.
Quick Check 5.8
A) Why solids have very low compressibility and expansion?
Ans. Solids have very low compressibility and expansion due strong intermolecular forces and
small interparticle spacing.
B) What is meant by habit of a crystal.
Ans. The habit of a crystal refers to the characteristic external shape of a crystal or a crystalline
solid. It is the overall appearance of the crystal, which is determined by the relative
development of its different crystal faces and the angles between them.
C) Why solids do not undergo translatory motion?
Ans. Solids do not undergo translatory motion because their constituent particles are held in
fixed positions by strong intermolecular forces. These forces create a rigid structure or lattice
where the particles can only vibrate about their mean positions. They do not have enough
 kinetic energy to overcome these strong attractive forces and move freely throughout the bulk
of the solid, unlike particles in liquids and gases.
D) Why most of solids can not be compressed easily?
Ans. Closely packed particles and strong intermolecular / interatomic forces makes it very
difficult to compress most solids significantly.
Quick Check 5.9
A) Name the properties of liquid crystals in which they resemble solids.
Ans. Liquid crystals exhibit properties of both liquids and solids. The solid-like properties
include:
(i) Orderly Arrangement of Molecules
(ii) Maintenance of Orientation
B) Mention the properties of liquid crystals in which they resemble liquids.
Ans. The liquid-like properties of liquid crystals include:
(i) Fluidity
(ii) Surface Tension and Viscosity
C) Which property of liquid crystals make it possible to use them in temperature
sensing devices?
Ans. The property of liquid crystals that makes them suitable for temperature sensing devices
is their thermochromic behaviour, which is the ability to change colour in response to changes
in temperature.
SOLVED EXERCISE MCQ’s
Q.1 Four choices are given for each ques on. Select the correct choice.

I. London dispersion forces are the only forces present among:

a) molecules of water in liquid state

b) atoms of helium in gaseous state at high temperature

c) molecules of solid iodine

d) molecules of hydrogen chloride gas

II. When the vapour pressure of a liquid equals the external pressure, what phenomenon
occurs?

a) Sublima on b) Condensa on c) Boiling d) Freezing

III. When water freezes at 0 deg * C its density decreases due to:

a) cubic structure of ice b) empty spaces present in the structure of ice

c) decrease in volume d) decrease in viscosity

IV. Which of the following op ons is wrong about hydrides of groups 14, 15, 16, and 17
elements?

a) All the hydrides show H-bonding. b) Only H2O,NH3 and HF show H-bonding.
 c) The molecules of CH4 are non-polar.

`d) H2S gas at room temperature but H2O is liquid

V. Which of following is correct sequence of increasing ∆Hv values of substances

men oned?

a) H2O > NH3 > F2 b) F2 > NH3> H2O

C) NH3 > H2O > F2 d) H2O > F2 > NH3

VI. Surface tension of a liquid is due to:

a) inward pull of surface molecules. b) upward pull from the surface

c) collision of molecules d) repulsive forces

VII. Amorphous solids:

a) have sharp mel ng points b) undergo cyan cleavage when cut with knife

c) have perfect arrangement of atoms

d) do not have definite geometric shape

VIII. Which change of state involves overcoming only London dispersion forces?

a) Mel ng of ice (H2O(s)→H2O(l))

b) Boiling of ethanol ( CH3CH2OH(l) →CH3CH2OH(g))

c) Sublima on of iodine (I2(s)→I2(g)) d) Dissolving sodium chloride in water

IX. In which of the following substances are London dispersion forces the only significant
intermolecular forces present?

a) Ammonia (NH3) b) Water (H2O) c) Methane (CH4) d) Hydrogen fluoride (HF)

X. Which of the following is a characteris c property of crystalline solids?

a) They have a range of mel ng points. b) They are isotropic.

c) They have a definite and sharp mel ng point.

d) They lack a regular arrangement of par cles.

XI. Which of the following liquids would you expect to have the highest viscosity at a given
temperature?

a) Water (H2O) b) Ethanol (CH3CH2OH)

c) Diethyl ether (CH3CH2OCH2CH3) d) Glycerol (CH2(OH)CH(OH)CH2(OH))

XII. Which type of is present in all types of their polarity?

a) Dipole-dipole forces b) Hydrogen bonds

 c) London dispersion forces d) lon-dipole forces

XIII. Liquid crystals exhibit proper es:

a) Only like solids. b) Only like liquids.

c) Between solids and liquids. d) Unlike solids or liquids.

Answers:

I. b) II. c) III. b) IV. a) V. a) VI. a) VII. d)

VIII. c) IX. c) X. c) XI. d) XII. c) XIII. c)

Short Questions with Answers

5.1 PROPERTIES OF GASES
1. How can gases be compressed at a constant temperature?
Ans. Theoretically, there isn't an absolute limit to the compressibility of a gas at a constant
temperature based solely on the ideal gas law. However, at extremely high pressures, the
assumptions of the ideal gas law break down. The volume of the gas molecules themselves
becomes significant compared to the container volume, and intermolecular forces become
important, resisting further compression.
2. If a small amount of gas is released into a vacuum, it expands to fill the entire
available space. Is the volume of the gas after expansion definite?
Ans. The volume of the gas after expansion into a vacuum is definite in the sense that it
occupies the entire volume of the new container. However, it's not an inherent, fixed property
of the gas itself. unlike a solid. The volume is dictated by the boundaries of the enclosure. If
the container expands. the gas will further expand to fill it, indicating that its volume is always
defined by its surroundings, not by an intrinsic property.
3. Why don't heavier gas molecules in a mixture settle to the bottom of the container
due to gravity, similar to how sand settles in water?
Ans. Gravity does exert a force on heavier gas molecules, their constant random motion due to
their kinetic energy is far more significant at typical temperatures. These molecules are
continuously colliding with lighter molecules and the container walls, effectively counteracting
the gravitational pull and maintaining a relatively uniform distribution throughout the
container. The thermal energy provides sufficient mixing to overcome the tendency for heavier
molecules to settle.
5.2 IDEAL GAS EQUATION
4. What is an ideal gas? Give example.
Ans. That gas which obeys gas laws like Boyle's law, Charles's law and Avogadro's law is called
ideal gas. the ideal gas should obey the general gas equation i.e.. PV = nRT H2 and H3 are ideal
gases at room temperature. Many other gases like CH4 CH 6, F2 and Cl2 become ideal at higher
as compared to room temperature.
5. What is the effect of increasing temperature and pressure on the density of a gas?
Ans. The density of an ideal gas can be expressed as
d=

Hence the density of an ideal gas is directly proportional to its pressure, greater the pressure on
the gas, closer will be the molecules and greater the density. On contrary higher temperature
makes the gases to expand, so density falls with the increase in temperature.
6. How the density of an ideal gas doubles by doubling the pressure or decreasing
the temperature on Kelvin scale by 1/2 ?

Ans. The general gas equation in terms of density is: d=

When the pressure is doubled the density should be doubled according to above equation.
d= , The value of d doubles.

Similarly, when the temperature becomes half, the density is also doubled. d= =
( )

7. Derive expression for molecular mass and density of a compound in gaseous state
and working ideally by using general gas equation.
Ans. Since PV = nRT

n= =

PV = RT

Rearranging
M= RT

Since, =𝑑

So M- or d=

8. Densities of gases are given in g dm-3 but not in g c m-3 .Why?

Ans. Densities of gases are very low as compared to liquids and solids. We want to avoid the
quantity of density to be written as negative power of 10. So, it is better to use bigger unit of
vol. as dm3in place of cm3 This will help to keep the values of density which are easily
understandable and comparable.
5.3 PROPERTIES OF LIQUIDS
9. Limited space and stronger attractions in liquids generally make dissolving
slower and more complex than in gases.
Ans. Liquids have less space between molecules and stronger attractions than gases. This
makes it harder for substances to mix and dissolve in liquids compared to gases. While things
still spread out (diffuse) in liquids, the tighter packing and attractions can cause different
substances to interact in ways that either help or hinder dissolving, making the process more
complicated than in gases.
10. What fundamental difference in the behaviour of gas and liquid molecules at
higher temperatures regarding expansion?
Ans. In gases, weak intermolecular forces allow molecules to move almost independently and
occupy the entire available volume. Increasing temperature increases their kinetic energy,
causing them to move further apart and expand significantly against minimal resistance. In
liquids, stronger intermolecular forces maintain a relatively constant volume. Increased kinetic
energy primarily leads to more vigorous vibrations and slight increases in intermolecular
distances, resulting in a much smaller overall expansion due to the cohesive forces limiting free
movement.
11. What specific changes during the conversion of a liquid to a solid?
Ans. Decreasing the kinetic energy of liquid molecules reduces their speed and ability to
overcome intermolecular attractions. As energy is removed, the molecules slow down and
begin to arrange themselves into more ordered , fixed positions, often forming a crystalline
lattice. The vibrational motion of the molecules is restricted to these fixed sites, and translatory
motion ceases, resulting in the rigidity and definite shape of a solid.
12. Diffusion and flow in liquids are entirely unrestricted, or are they influenced by
the intermolecular forces present?
Ans. The motion in liquids, while free enough to allow diffusion and flow, is not entirely
unrestricted. Intermolecular forces constantly act between liquid molecules, influencing their
speed and direction of movement. These forces cause collisions and momentary attractions,
preventing the completely unimpeded motion seen in ideal gases. Thus, the movement is a
balance between the kinetic energy of the molecules and the attractive forces between them.
5.4 INTERMOLECULAR FORCES
13. Why intermolecular forces are weaker than intramolecular forces?
Ans. Intermolecular forces are present between two different molecules of the same kind or
different kinds. Valence electrons are not responsible of these forces. That is why they are weak
forces. Hydrogen bonding and dipole-dipole forces are such forces. Intramolecular forces are
present within the same molecule due to sharing of electrons and overlapping of the orbitals.
In H₂O the forces making σ-bonds are intramolecular forces.
14. London dispersion forces are weaker than dipole-dipole forces. Why?
Ans. London forces are short range forces. Dipoles are created due to the disturbance of
electronic cloud momentarily. Dipole - Dipole forces only operate when dipoles are there. The
dipole-dipole forces continue operating due to presence of permanent dipole and forces are
strong.
15. I₂ is in the solid state where as F₂ is in the gaseous state. Justify.
Ans. The size of I₂ molecule is much larger than the size of F 2. So, distortion of electronic cloud
will be easier in I₂ and extent of polarizability will be greater. So intermolecular forces among
I₂ molecules will be greater that is why I₂ is solid where as F₂ is gas.
16. Why the melting and boiling points of halogens and noble gases increase down the
group?
Ans. The atomic sizes increase from fluorine to iodine. Same is the case with noble gases. The
number of shells increase down the group. So polarizability increases and the tendency of
overlapping of loosely held electrons also increases in both groups. This makes the melting and
boiling high down the group.
17. Why the melting and boiling points of alkanes increase with increase in molar
masses and are less than that of H₂O?
Ans. Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons as CH4, C2H6, C3H8, C4H10 ......... etc. are gases C5H12
to C18H38 are liquids. They are all non-polar. Greater the length of carbon chain, greater the
interaction of one molecule with the other. Higher alkanes are zig-zag in structure and they are
called macromolecules as well. These features are responsible for the forces of interactions and
cause the increase of M.P and B.P of alkanes. H₂O is a polar liquid and dipole-dipole forces are
very strong.
18. Why the melting and boiling points of Alkanes increase with increase in Molar
Masses?
Ans. Boiling point of C₂H6 and C6H14 are -88.6°C and 68.7°C respectively. The reason is that
longer molecules have more polar sites and hence strong forces with other molecules. In
hydrocarbons, trend changes from gaseous state to liquid and finally to solid with increasing
molecular mass.
19. In the hydrogen bonded HF molecule, the bond shown by dotted line is weaker as
compared to that shown by the solid line. Explain.
Ans. The covalent bond between hydrogen and fluorine is stronger. It is produced by the
sharing of two electrons, between hydrogen a fluorine.
While the bond shown by dotted line is hydrogen bond formed due to electrostatic forces of
attraction between opposite poles of two different molecules. So it is a weaker bond as
compared to covalent bond between H and F.
20. Give the reason for low boiling point of HF (19.5°C) as compared to H₂O (100°C)
although the H-bonding is stronger than water.
Ans. In each molecule of water, oxygen atom forms two hydrogen bonds with hydrogen of two
neighbouring water molecules. Whereas in case of HF molecule, only one partial positive
hydrogen is available which can make only one H-bond, so in water number. of H-bonds are
double as compared to HF. That is why water has high boiling point and HF has low boiling
point.
21. Ice float on water. Justify it.
Ans. Ice is solid water. Water expands when it is solidified. This expansion is due to empty
spaces which are left behind due to the hydrogen bonding in lattice of ice crystal. The density
of ice is close to 0.91 g cm-3 as compared to that of liquid water which is 1.00 g cm -3 at 4°C.
For this reason ice floats on water. No doubt, the density of water falls above 4°C, but remains
less than that of ice.
22. Water is a liquid at room temperature but H₂S is a gas. Give reason.
Ans. This is due to high electronegativity of oxygen as compared to sulphur. Water has
hydrogen bonding due to greater E.N. difference of H and O-atoms. H₂S does not have such
bonding. Due to absence of hydrogen bonding in H₂S is a gas at room temperature.
23. Water freezes from surface to the downward direction in ponds and lakes. Explain
why?
Ans. Ice has lower density than liquid water at 0°C. It causes water in ponds and lakes to freeze
from surface to downward direction. Water attains temperature of 4°C by fall of temperature
in surrounding. As outer atmosphere becomes further cold, the water at the surface becomes
less dense. This less dense water below 4°C stays on the top of slightly warm water underneath.
A stage reaches when it freezes. The layer of ice insulates water underneath for further heat
loss. In this way, water at 4°C maintain its temperature.
5.5 SURFACE TENSION OF LIQUIDS
24. Why does heating a liquid generally decrease its surface tension?
Ans. Heating a liquid increases the average kinetic energy of its molecules, causing them to
move more vigorously and increasing the average intermolecular distance. This increased
molecular motion and separation weakens the effectiveness of the cohesive forces between the
surface molecules, which are responsible for surface tension. As the cohesive forces weaken,
the energy required to stretch or increase the surface area decreases, hence the surface tension
lowers.
25. How sharp needle, placed horizontally on the surface of water, can float even
though its density is much greater than water.
Ans. The needle, when placed carefully, creates a slight depression on the water's surface
without breaking it. The surface of the water acts like a stretched elastic membrane due to
surface tension. The weight of the needle causes this slight depression, and the upward
component of the surface tension forces acting along the contact line between the needle and
the water balances the weight of the needle, allowing it to float. If the surface tension is
disrupted, the needle will sink.
26. How does the presence of impurities, particularly surfactants, affect the surface
tension of a liquid like water?
Ans. Surfactants are amphiphilic molecules with both hydrophobic (water-repelling) and
hydrophilic (water-attracting) parts. When added to water, the hydrophobic tails tend to orient
themselves away from the water molecules (towards the air at the surface), while the
hydrophilic heads remain in the water. This arrangement disrupts the strong cohesive forces
between the water molecules at the surface. as the surfactant molecules are interspersed among
them. Consequently, the surface tension of the water decreases because the surface is less
strongly held together.
27. Why are smaller liquid droplets more spherical than larger ones?
Ans. Liquid droplets tend to minimize their surface area to reduce surface energy, and a sphere
has the smallest surface area to volume ratio. For small droplets. the surface tension forces,
which act to contract the surface area, are dominant over the gravitational forces, which tend
to distort the shape. As the droplet size increases, the volume and gravitational force acting on
it, increases with the cube of the radius, while the surface area and the surface tension force
acting along the surface increases with the square of the radius. Thus, gravity becomes more
significant for larger droplets. causing them to become more flattened or distorted from a
perfect sphere.
5.6 VISCOSITY OF LIQUIDS
28. The viscosity of glycerol (CH2OHCHOHCH2OH) is significantly higher than that
of ethanol (CH3CH2OH). Explain it.
Ans. Glycerol has three -OH groups per molecule, allowing for the formation of a more
extensive and stronger network of hydrogen bonds compared to ethanol, which has only one -
OH group. These stronger and more numerous intermolecular attractions in glycerol create
greater resistance to the movement of its molecules past each other under shear stress, resulting
in a higher viscosity than ethanol. Molecular shape and potential for entanglement also play a
role.
29. Why does the viscosity of most liquids decrease as the temperature increases, while
the viscosity of gases generally increases with temperature?
`
Ans. In liquids, increased temperature leads to higher kinetic energy, allowing molecules to
overcome intermolecular cohesive forces more easily, thus reducing resistance to flow. In
gases, viscosity arises from the transfer of momentum between moving layers of gas. Higher
temperatures increase the average speed of gas molecules, leading to more frequent and
energetic collisions. resulting in a greater transfer of momentum and thus higher viscosity.
30. Why larger molecules generally exhibit higher viscosities than smaller molecules
with similar intermolecular forces?
Ans. Larger molecules often have greater surface areas and can become more entangled with
each other during flow. This increased physical interaction and mechanical interlocking
between the larger molecules creates more internal friction and resistance to movement, even
if the intermolecular attractive forces per unit area are comparable to those in smaller
molecules. The increased size also contributes to a greater momentum transfer during collisions
within the liquid.
31. What will be the viscosity of a liquid mixture to behave compared to the viscosities
of the pure components?
Ans. It depends on the specific interactions between the different types of molecules. If the
mixing leads to stronger intermolecular forces than in the pure components, the viscosity of
the mixture can be higher than either pure liquid. Conversely, if mixing weakens the overall
intermolecular forces, the viscosity can be lower. Ideal mixing might lead to an intermediate
viscosity, but real mixtures often deviate from this.
32. Why the viscosity of blood is significantly higher than that of water?
Ans. The higher viscosity of blood is primarily due to the presence of blood cells (red blood
cells, white blood cells, and platelets) and large plasma proteins (like fibrinogen). These
cellular components and large molecules increase internal friction as they move through the
fluid. leading to greater resistance to flow. The shape and deformability of red blood cells also
play a crucial role in blood's flow properties.
5.7 EVAPORATION
33. Evaporation takes place at all temperatures. Explain.
Ans. At room or low temperature, there are always some molecules whose K.E. is greater than
average K.E. of molecules. These molecules can overcome the intermolecular forces and
escape from the surface in the form of vapours. At high temperature, the rate of evaporation
increases so evaporation continues at all temperatures but rate of evaporation will be different
at different temperatures.
34. How the rate of evaporation depends on the surface area?
Ans. When surface area is increased, then more molecules are able to escape from the surface
of liquid. As a result, liquid evaporates quickly.
Example: Hot tea placed in a saucepan (pirch) gets cool at a faster rate than in a cup due to
greater surface area of pirch.
35. Why does rubbing alcohol feel significantly colder on the skin than water?
Ans. Rubbing alcohol turns into a gas more easily than water and doesn't need as much energy
to do it. Because it evaporates so fast, it quickly takes heat from your skin, making it feel colder
right away, even if water might remove the same total heat over a longer time.
 36. In a closed container, if the temperature of the container is increased, how will
this equilibrium shift, and what will be the effect on the vapor pressure of the
liquid?
Ans. Increasing the temperature increases the average kinetic energy of the liquid molecules,
allowing more molecules to overcome intermolecular forces and escape into the vapor phase.
This increases the rate of evaporation. To re-establish equilibrium, the rate of condensation
must also increase, which occurs at a higher vapor pressure as there are more vapor molecules
colliding with the liquid surface. Thus, the equilibrium shifts towards the vapor phase, and the
vapor pressure of the liquid increases.
37. Why does evaporation occur at temperatures below the boiling point of a liquid?
Ans. Even though a liquid isn't boiling hot, some of its surface molecules are moving much
faster than average. If these speedy molecules hit the surface just right, they can break free and
become a gas, even if most molecules don't have enough energy to boil.
38. Why does wind increase the rate of evaporation of a liquid?
Ans. When a liquid evaporates, the air right above it gets full of its vapor, which makes it harder
for more to evaporate. Wind blows this vapor away and brings in fresh, drier air. This difference
in vapor levels between the liquid and the air makes more liquid molecules escape into the air,
speeding up evaporation.
5.8 VAPOUR PRESSURE
39. The vapour pressure of solids is far less than those of liquids.
Ans. Solids have strong attractive forces among their constituent particles and hence can not
be vaporized at ordinary temperature and pressure. Whereas evaporation from liquids can take
place even at room temperature because they have weak inter particle forces. That's why,
vapour pressure of solids is far less than those of liquids.
5.9 BOILING POINT
40. Boiling needs a constant supply of heat. Explain.
Ans. Before boiling point, the heat supplied increases the K.E. of the molecules so temperature
increases as average K.E. varies directly with temperature. At boiling point, the K.E. of the
molecules becomes maximum or saturated, so the temperature also becomes constant. Now the
heat supplied is only used to break intermolecular forces and convert liquid into vapours. So
boiling needs constant heat supply.
41. The boiling point of water is different at Murree hills and at Mount Everest.
Ans. Boiling point is not a constant property. It depends upon the external pressure. If external
pressure is high, then boiling point is also high and vice versa. Boiling point of water in plane
area is 100°C where external presser is about 760 torr. At Muree hills, the boiling pint of water
is 98°C because external pressure decreases from 760 to 700 torr. At the top of Mount Everest,
water boils at 69°C, where external pressure is further lower than 760 torr.
5.10 ENERGETIC OF PHASE CHANGES
42. Heat of sublimation of a substance is greater than that of heat of vaporization.
Ans. Heat of vaporization is quantity of heat required to convert liquid into vapour (Gas). While
heat of sublimation is a quantity of heat required to convert solid directly into vapour phase
without passing through liquid. So, heat of sublimation is higher than the heat of vaporization.
 43. Why heat of vaporization of water is greater than that of CH4.
Ans. Water is polar molecule & CH4 is non - polar. So, in water, intermolecular forces are
stronger as compared to CH4 which has only weak inter molecular forces.
44. Dynamic equilibrium is the ultimate goal of all the reversible chemical and
physical changes?
Ans. Whenever a change of state occurs, the system moves towards the condition of dynamic
equilibrium. Dynamic equilibrium is the ultimate goal of all the reversible chemical reactions
and all the physical changes occur at equal rates. Being a chemist, we should know that the
concept of dynamic equilibrium is the ultimate goal of all the reversible chemical reactions and
all the physical changes.
45. The melting point, boiling point, heat of vaporization and heat of sublimation of
electrovalent compounds are higher as compared to covalent compounds. Why?
46. Ans. In electrovalent or ionic compounds, the inter ionic forces are stronger and they
have close packing structures in which oppositely charged ions are surrounded by
negatively charged ions and vice versa. That is why they have high M.P., B.P. heat of
vaporization and heat of sublimation as compared to covalent compounds.
5.11 SOLIDS
47. Why the density of solids is generally higher than that of liquids and gases?
Ans. Solids are usually denser because their tiny parts are packed tightly in one spot. Liquids
are a bit less dense because their parts are closer than in air but can still move around. Air is
the least dense because its parts are far apart. However, ice is a weird solid, it is less dense than
liquid water because its special structure has empty spaces.
5.12 TYPES OF SOLIDS
48. Amorphous solid like glass is also called super cooled liquid.
Ans. An amorphous solid like glass formed at a very high temperature of about 1400°C in
liquid state. So the convert it into solid a rapid and intensive cooling is done. Therefore we
called them super cooled. But as for as an arrangement of constituent particles is concerned,
these have random arrangement like liquid, therefore these are called liquids. The combination
of intense cooling for their solidification and random arrangement of constituent particles
responsible for calling amorphous solids like as super cooled liquids.
49. What is habit of a crystal?
Ans. The shape of a crystal in which it grows under identical conditions of temperature,
pressure and concentration is called habit of a crystal.
Example: The habit of the crystal of NaCl in pure state is to make cubic crystal.
5.13 LIQUID CRYSTALS
50. How can liquid crystals act as temperature sensors?
Ans. Liquid crystal show change in temperature by change in colour of reflected light. Liquid
crystals diffract light like solid crystals. When one of the wavelengths of white light is reflected
from liquid crystals, it appears coloured. As the temperature changes, the distances between
layers of molecules of liquid crystal change. Therefore, the colour of reflected light changes
accordingly. Hence, liquid crystals can be used as temperature sensors.
51. Is there any property of liquid crystal, that they exhibit that are not typically
found in either conventional solids or liquids?
Ans. Yes, one such property is the selective reflection of light based on the helical pitch in
cholesteric liquid crystals. This ability to act as a Bragg grating for visible light, with the
reflected wavelength being highly sensitive to external stimuli like temperature or electric
fields, is not a common property of solids or isotropic liquids. This leads to their unique
applications in optical devices and displays.