What is the effect of branching on melting and boiling points of alkanes ?

Explanation

For the same number of C atoms, increased branching leads to a more compact molecule that can pack more clocely into a crtstal lattice. The intermolecular van der Waals forces of attraction are stronger and have higher melting poins. But the point decreases with the increase in branching for the same number of C atom due to more compact molecules with less surface area and, thus, having weaker intermolecular van dar Waals forces of attraction.