For each of the following substances, write the name for the type of particle that forms its basic structure and the name of the primary type of attraction between these particles. From each pair of substances, choose the one that you expect to have stronger interparticle attractions.

a. ethanol, C₂H₅OH  (in alcoholic beverages)

dimethyl ether, CH₃OCH₃  (refrigerant and solvent for propellant sprays)

b. manganese, Mn  (improves corrosion resistance and hardness when alloyed with other metals)

carbon tetrachloride, CCl₄  (used for metal degreasing and to add chlorine atoms to organic compounds)

c. propane, C₃H₈  (fuel and aerosol propellant)

n-heptane, C₇H₁₆  (standard for octane rating)

d. acetone, CH₃COCH₃  (solvent for paints and varnishes)

lithium nitrate, LiNO₃  (used to make ceramics and in rocket propellants)

e. antimony tribromide, SbBr₃  (a molecular compound used as a mordant, which fixes dyes to textiles)

antimony trichloride, SbCl₃  (a molecular compound used for fireproofing textiles)

Click here to see a Sample Study Sheet that summarizes this procedure.

Click here to see an example. 

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