Viscosity of a liquid arises due to strong intermolecular forces existing between the molecules. Stronger the intermolecular forces, greater is the viscosity. Name the intermolecular forces existing in the following liquids and arrange them in the increasing order of their viscosities. Also give reason for the assigned order in one line.Water, Hexane (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3), Glycerine (CH2OHCH(OH)CH2OH)

Asked by Tarun 11/12/2021 Last Modified 09/10/2025

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Viscosity of a liquid arises due to strong intermolecular forces existing between the molecules. Stronger the intermolecular forces, greater is the viscosity. Name the intermolecular forces existing in the following liquids and arrange them in the increasing order of their viscosities. Also give reason for the assigned order in one line.Water, Hexane (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3), Glycerine (CH2OHCH(OH)CH2OH)

Asked by Tarun 11/12/2021 Last Modified 09/10/2025

1 Answer

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Sadika · Accepted Answer

The intermolecular forces present in the given liquids are:

Water (H2O): Hydrogen bonding
Hexane (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3): London dispersion forces (van der Waals forces)
Glycerine (CH2OHCH(OH)CH2OH): Hydrogen bonding and London dispersion forces

Now, let's arrange them in increasing order of their viscosities:

Hexane (CH3CH2CH2CH2CH2CH3): This liquid primarily experiences London dispersion forces, which are relatively weaker compared to hydrogen bonding. Therefore, it typically has the lowest viscosity among the given liquids.

Water (H2O): Water experiences hydrogen bonding, which is stronger than London dispersion forces. Thus, it has a higher viscosity compared to hexane.

Glycerine (CH2OHCH(OH)CH2OH): Glycerine experiences both hydrogen bonding and London dispersion forces. Hydrogen bonding contributes significantly to the viscosity of glycerine, making it the most viscous among the given liquids.

Reason for the assigned order: Viscosity is primarily determined by the strength of intermolecular forces. Hexane has weaker intermolecular forces (London dispersion forces) compared to water (hydrogen bonding) and glycerine (hydrogen bonding and London dispersion forces), resulting in lower viscosity. Water, with its strong hydrogen bonding, has a higher viscosity than hexane. Glycerine, which exhibits both hydrogen bonding and London dispersion forces, experiences stronger intermolecular forces overall, leading to the highest viscosity among the given liquids.

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