Alcohols, carboxylic acids and water exhibit a very broad o—h peak between 3200-2600 cm-1. broad peaks are typically associated with intermolecular interactions resulting in multiple bonding scenarios. what intermolecular interaction between the molecules of these three compounds might explain their broad peaks.

Association Effects in Alcohols:

                                                  A broad peak is found in the IR spectrum of Alcohols in the range of 3500 cm⁻¹. The broadness is mainly due to special class of association effect called as hydrogen bonding. Hydrogen bonding mainly occur between the most electronegative element (F, O or N) of one molecule and the the hydrogen atom (attached to most electronegative atom) of another molecule.

Association Effects in Carboxylic Acids:

                                                               In carboxylic acids the -COOH group is responsible for the broadness of peak in IR spectrum at around 2600-3400 cm⁻¹. This broadness again results from the association effects called as dimerization in which a dimer of carboxylic acid is formed.

Association effect in Water:

                                            The association effect found in water is also due hydrogen bond interactions as that found in case of Alcohols.

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c. heat could easily travel through the molecules in the air and escape/enter the flask. removing the air slows down the heat transfer.