Chemical properties of first member of homologous series with respect to other members are

Explanation

While members of a homologous series share some similar properties due to the same functional group and general formula, the first member exhibits some distinct chemical properties compared to its higher homologues. Here's why:Physical properties: The first member generally has weaker intermolecular forces due to its smaller size and fewer van der Waals interactions. This results in lower boiling and melting points compared to higher homologues, which have stronger intermolecular forces due to their increased size and surface area.Reactivity: The first member in some homologous series (especially alkanes) can be less reactive towards certain reactions due to the absence of additional branching or functional groups that activate the molecule. For example, methane (first member of alkanes) is quite unreactive compared to higher alkanes with branching or other functional groups.Acidic/basic properties: In cases where acidity or basicity is affected by carbon chain length, the first member may exhibit differing acidic/basic characteristics compared to higher homologues. For example, the first member of carboxylic acids is generally weaker than its higher homologues due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the additional methylene groups in longer chains