Volatility refers to the tendency of a substance to vaporize or evaporate at a given temperature. The higher the volatility, the easier it is for a substance to transition from a liquid to a gas.
Factors affecting volatility:
* Intermolecular forces: Weaker intermolecular forces lead to higher volatility. Benzene has weaker London dispersion forces compared to hexane due to its planar structure and delocalized electrons.
* Molecular weight: Lower molecular weight substances tend to be more volatile. Hexane has a higher molecular weight than benzene.
Comparison:
* Benzene:
* Weaker intermolecular forces (London dispersion forces)
* Lower molecular weight (78 g/mol)
* Hexane:
* Stronger intermolecular forces (London dispersion forces)
* Higher molecular weight (86 g/mol)
Conclusion:
Due to its weaker intermolecular forces and lower molecular weight, benzene is more volatile than hexane. This means that benzene will evaporate more readily at a given temperature.