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.