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

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Alkanes and Their Isomers**:
- Alkanes are hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2. They can exist in different structural forms known as isomers.
- For example, pentane (C5H12) has three isomers: n-pentane, isopentane, and neopentane.

2. **Effect of Branching on Boiling Point**:
- When comparing isomers with the same number of carbon atoms, branching affects their physical properties.
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