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  • Ethanol vs. Acetone: Understanding Volatility Differences
    Yes, acetone is more volatile than ethanol.

    Here's why:

    * Boiling Point: Acetone has a lower boiling point (56°C) than ethanol (78°C). This means acetone will evaporate more readily at a given temperature.

    * Vapor Pressure: Acetone has a higher vapor pressure than ethanol. Vapor pressure is the pressure exerted by the vapor of a liquid in equilibrium with its liquid phase. A higher vapor pressure indicates that more of the liquid is in the vapor phase, meaning it's more volatile.

    * Intermolecular Forces: Acetone has weaker intermolecular forces than ethanol. Acetone primarily experiences dipole-dipole interactions, while ethanol has hydrogen bonding, which is a stronger intermolecular force. Weaker intermolecular forces allow molecules to escape from the liquid phase more easily.

    In summary: The lower boiling point, higher vapor pressure, and weaker intermolecular forces of acetone make it more volatile than ethanol.

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