Which of the following pairs of substances would you expect to form solutions?
a. CCl₄ and water
b. Benzene (C₆H₆) and MgSO₄
c. Hexane (C₆H₁₄) and heptane (C₇H₁₆)
d. Ethyl alcohol (C₂H₅OH) and heptanol (C₇H₁₅OH)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the principle of 'like dissolves like', which means that polar substances tend to dissolve in polar solvents, and nonpolar substances tend to dissolve in nonpolar solvents.
Analyze each pair of substances to determine their polarity. For example, water is polar, while CCl₄ is nonpolar.
Consider the molecular structure and intermolecular forces of each substance. For instance, benzene (C₆H₆) is nonpolar, and MgSO₄ is ionic.
Evaluate the compatibility of the substances based on their polarity. Hexane (C₆H₁₄) and heptane (C₇H₁₆) are both nonpolar, suggesting they are likely to form a solution.
Assess the potential for hydrogen bonding or other interactions. Ethyl alcohol (C₂H₅OH) and heptanol (C₇H₁₅OH) can both form hydrogen bonds, indicating they may form a solution.
Recommended similar problem, with video answer:
Verified Solution
This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above
Video duration:
6m
Play a video:
Was this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polarity
Polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms in a molecule. Polar molecules, like water, have a significant difference in electronegativity between their atoms, leading to partial positive and negative charges. Nonpolar molecules, such as CCl₄ and hexane, have an even distribution of charge. The principle 'like dissolves like' indicates that polar substances tend to dissolve in polar solvents, while nonpolar substances dissolve in nonpolar solvents.
Solubility is the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent at a given temperature and pressure. It is influenced by factors such as temperature, pressure, and the nature of the solute and solvent. For example, ionic compounds like MgSO₄ are generally soluble in polar solvents like water, while nonpolar solutes like benzene do not dissolve well in polar solvents. Understanding solubility helps predict which pairs of substances will form solutions.
Intermolecular forces are the forces of attraction or repulsion between molecules. These forces include hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, and London dispersion forces. The strength and type of these forces determine how substances interact with each other. For instance, ethyl alcohol and heptanol can form hydrogen bonds due to their hydroxyl groups, enhancing their solubility in each other, while substances with weaker interactions may not mix well.