Video Transcript
Which of the following physical
properties does benzene not possess? (A) Colorlessness as a liquid at
room temperature, (B) electrical conductivity, (C) an aromatic smell, (D)
immiscibility with water, (E) a boiling point of approximately 80 degrees
Celsius.
Benzene is a cyclic hydrocarbon
with the chemical formula C6H6. Its displayed formula is often
shown with alternating carbon–carbon single bonds and carbon–carbon double
bonds. Frequently, its chemical structure
is simply presented in the following way to represent the delocalized electrons of
the 𝜋 bonds that are spread out over the entire ring structure.
Benzene is classified as an
aromatic hydrocarbon, or arene. The term “aromatic” gives us a clue
as to one of the physical properties of benzene. Benzene has a sweet or aromatic
odor. When looking at the answer choices,
we see that we can eliminate answer choice (C). Benzene is also a colorless liquid
at room temperature.
Benzene is less dense than water
and is immiscible with water. If added to water and left
undisturbed, benzene forms a separate layer above water. Because benzene is nonpolar, it
does not form solutions with polar solvents like water. However, benzene is miscible with
nonpolar solvents. The boiling point of benzene is
80.5 degrees Celsius.
When looking at the answer choices,
we can see that the only physical property that benzene does not have is electrical
conductivity. In conclusion, the physical
property that benzene does not possess is answer choice (B), electrical
conductivity.
