What effect the branching of an alkane has on its boiling point?

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Boiling Point**: The boiling point of a substance is influenced by the strength of intermolecular forces present. In alkanes, these forces are primarily Van der Waals forces (dispersion forces).

2. **Effect of Surface Area**: The boiling point is directly related to the surface area of the molecule. Larger surface areas allow for more contact between molecules, which increases the strength of Van der Waals forces.

3. **Branching in Alkanes**: When an alkane is branched, its overall surface area decreases compared to its straight-chain counterpart. This is because branching reduces the number of available contact points between molecules.

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