Chemistry - Why do larger alkyl groups show a greater inductive (+I) effect?
Qualitatively:
If a methyl group is more electron donating than a hydrogen, then an ethyl group would be more donating that a methyl group by the same reason.
The effect drops off with distance, and generally a pentyl group is considered no more donating than a butyl group.
As for why a methyl group is more electron donating than a hydrogen, the carbon has a higher electronegativity than hydrogen (slightly), polarizing the bond (slightly). This increased electron density near the carbon, which increases (slightly) its electron donation (I+) ability.