DAT Exam 1: Chemistry

1. A sample of chromium oxide is 76.5% chromium by weight. What is the

simplest formula of the oxide?
a. CrO3
b. CrO2
c. CrO
d. Cr2O
e. Cr2O3

Solution:

The trick to this problem is to recognize that the formula for percent weight of chromium (52 g/mol) in
the sample is: (Plus also use the masses of the other elements using the periodic table).

2. In air bags, the reaction of sodium azide (NaN3, 65 g/mol) to form sodium and
nitrogen gas is triggered by an electric current, thus expanding the air bag. If
there are 65 grams of sodium azide in the air bag, how many mols of nitrogen
gas are formed?
a. 1 mol
b. 1.5 mol
c. 3 mols
d. 5 mols
e. 0.1 mols

Solution:
1. Write out a chemical equation:
2. Recognize that nitrogen gas is diatomic!
3. Calculate based on the stoichiometric equation:

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 3. How many grams of lead (II) sulfate (303 g/mol) are needed to react with
sodium chromate (162 g/mol) in order to produce 0.162 kg of lead (II)
chromate (323 g/mol)?
a. 112.8
b. 151.5
c. 189.2
d. 289.6
e. 212.5

Solution:

4. A closed 1L chamber of gas undergoes the following reaction at 400 °C and

20,000 kPa:
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 2H2(g)+ O2(g) --> 2H2O(g)

Assuming 2 mols of hydrogen gas, 1 mol of oxygen gas, a constant temperature, and no
product at start, what is the resulting pressure after the reaction occurs?

a. 9,333 kPa
b. 9,666 kPa
c. 11,000 kPa
d. 11,666 kPa
e. 13,333 kPa

Solution: ***Temp. Must always be in Kelvin!***

Formulas:
T(K) = T(°C) + 273.15
F = 1.8C + 32

5. A dentist uses an ML-6 type cylinder, which has an internal volume of 165
liters. How many moles of nitrous oxide are in the tank (assume the apparatus
is at sea level; the ambient temperature is 22° C)?

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 ( 1 )( 165 )
a.
( 0.082 )( 22 )
(1)(165)
b. (0.082)(295)

( 1 ) (8.314)
c.
(165)(295)
(0.082)(295)
d. (1)(165)
(1)(165)
e. (8.314)( 22)

Solution:

The question requires the equation for the ideal gas law: PV = nRT

Notice there are two values for R depending on your units for pressure;

1) 0.082 atm
2) 8.314 kPa (kilopascals).

6. The bond length of the chlorine molecule, Cl2, is 199 pm. On the other hand, a
pure carbon structure, such as diamond, has C-C bond lengths of 154 pm.
What is the bond length of a C-Cl bond?
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 a. 154 pm
b. 218 pm
c. 176 pm
d. 120 pm
e. 188 pm

Solution:

To calculate bond lengths, the average can be taken of the value between two pure
compounds.

7. All of the following are strong electrolytes EXCEPT for one. Which one is the
EXCEPTION?
a. HNO3
b. H2SO4
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 c. NaCl
d. KOH
e. CO2

Solution:

An electrolyte is also known as an ion in water. This is a pretty straightforward question,

and it should be recognized that [A], [B], [C], and [D] will dissolve easily in water to
form ions such as Na+ and Cl–. However, CO2, carbon dioxide, is a very stable molecule
and will not dissolve to form an ion. Your soda does not turn black when CO2 dissolves
in it, which would be characteristic of dissociated carbon floating around.

8. Pure elemental gases, such as O2 and N2, have very low melting points, at

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 around -220°C. What is one reason that this is the case?
a. Pure gases are in gas form and thus are never solid
b. Pure gases are hard to freeze
c. Pure gases are purely covalently bonded and are nonpolar
d. Pure gases have many strong intermolecular forces
e. Pure gases are unreactive

Solution:

The melting point of a substance is due to the strength of intermolecular forces

between the molecules. Pure elemental gases are covalently bonding and are non-
polar. As a result, they have very minimal intermolecular forces acting on the molecules.
This results in a weak bonding structure in the solid, and thus a low melting point.

a) Choice [A]: False: anything can turn into a solid

b) Choice [B] is true, but it does not explain the reason of why they are hard to freeze,
it just repeats the original question.
c) Choice [D] is false, because pure gases do not have strong intermolecular forces,
they have weak forces which is why they are a gas.
d) Choice [E] is false, because a lot of these gases are very flammable and chemically
reactive.
e) Therefore, the correct answer to this question is choice [C].

9. Which of the following solutions has the lowest freezing point?

a. 0.20 m C6H12O6

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 b. 0.20 m Ba(NO3)2
c. 0.20 m H2SO4
d. 0.20 m Na3PO4
e. 0.20 m K2CrO4
Solution:
All the molalties are the same, so this question must be asking us to compare
something about the formulas. The only difference here is that each solution will
dissociate into a different number of ions.
Since the question asked for the ‘lowest freezing point’ (an extreme), the answer
cannot be a choice in the middle, it must be one of the extremes.
So the answer is between choice [A], sugar, which has one solute particle (doesn’t break
down into ions in solution), and choice [D], which will break down into 4 solute particles
in solution (3 Na+ and 1 PO4-3). The number of solute particles a solution breaks down
into is called the van’t Hoff factor.

The formula for freezing point depression is: ΔTF =-(KF ·m·i)

Where ΔT is the temperature change, KF is the constant for the solution, m is the
molality, and “i” is the van’t Hoff factor. A higher van’t Hoff factor has a directly
proportional increased effect on temperature change, and thus, [D] must be the correct
answer since it has the largest van’t Hoff factor, which depresses the freezing point the
most, giving us the lowest freezing point.

10. Find the osmotic pressure (in atm) of a 0.50 M aqueous solution of NaCl at 27
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 degrees Celsius.
a. (2)(0.50)(0.082)(300)
b. (1)(0.50)(0.082)(300)
c. (2)(0.50)(8.314)(27)
d. (2)(1.00)(8.314)(300)
e. (1)(0.50)(8.314)(27)
Solution:

The formula for osmotic pressure is:

Where pi is the osmotic pressure, “i” is the van’t Hoff factor, M is the molarity, R is a
constant, and T is temperature in Kelvin.

1. NaCl is an electrolyte that breaks into two ions, so i=2.

2. The temperature is 27+273 = 300K.
3. They want the answer in atm, so we use 0.082 for R.
4. Molarity is given.
5. Substitute in, and we find choice A is the answer.

11.An aqueous solution of potassium chloride is heated from 20C to 60C (no
vaporization occurred). Which of the following occurs while the solution is

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 being heated?
a. The mole fraction of solute decreases.
b. The mole fraction of solvent increases.
c. The density of the solution is constant.
d. The molarity of the solution is constant.
e. The molality of the solution is constant.

Solution:

The concept here is that the volume of the solution is changing due to the added heat (thermal
expansion). For example, the mercury in a thermometer expands as it heats up, revealing the
temperature.

a. We know mole fractions are unaffected by volume changes, so they must remain constant
as more KCl wasn’t added and no water was vaporized.
b. The density of the solution does NOT stay constant, because the volume changes.
c. The molarity of the solution does NOT stay constant, because it depends on volume, or
liters. The molality of a solution only depends on the mass of the solvent, in kg, which
does not change with temperature.
d. Thus, answer choice [E] is the correct answer.

12. If the conjugate base of a molecule has a pKb of 1.4, what would you expect
the molecule to be?
a. Strong acid

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 b. Weak acid
c. Neutral
d. Weak base
e. Strong base

Solution:
Notice this question gives us the pKb of the molecule, not the pKa. Because of this, the
pH scale basically gets reversed, so lower numbers in pKb correlate with stronger
bases, and higher numbers in pKb correlate with stronger acids – the exact opposite
of the pH scale.
1. Strong acids have a weak conjugate base.
2. Strong bases have a weak conjugate acid.

 So if the problem says you have a strong conjugate base, then the molecule must
be a weak acid. To illustrate this, think of ammonium, NH4+. Ammonium is a
weak acid, but
 So if the problem says you have a strong conjugate base, then the molecule must
be a weak acid. To illustrate this, think of ammonium, NH4+. Ammonium is a
weak acid, but weak acid. To illustrate this, think of ammonium, NH4+.
 Ammonium is a weak acid, but the conjugate base of ammonium is ammonia,
NH3, which is a reasonably good base. Thus, the correct answer is [B].

13. A researcher has a solution of 3M nitric acid that she needs to neutralize. In
order to do this, she decides to add the acid to a solution to neutralize it.
Which of the following would neutralize the acid the fastest?

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 a. Br-
b. Na3PO4
c. NH3
d. Cl-E.
e. H2O

Solution:

 In order to neutralize the acid the fastest, we want the base that is capable of
absorbing the most protons per molecule. Na3PO4 is able to absorb 3 protons,

because it dissociates into the very basic PO43- ion.

 Thus, adding trisodium phosphate would neutralize the acid the fastest, versus the
other answer choices that would only absorb 1 proton. Strategy tip: We could
eliminate Br– and Cl– immediately because they’re both almost identical (weak
base, halide).
 Given that there cannot be two correct answers, both of them must be wrong.

14. Two acid/base reactions are shown below:

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Which of the following is true?

A. In both reactions, water is acting as an acid

B. In both reactions, water is acting as a base

C. Water does not act as either a base or an acid in these reactions

D. Water acts as an acid in reaction 1, and a base in reaction 2

E. Water acts as an acid in reaction 2, and a base in reaction 1

Solution:

An acid is defined as a proton donor, and a base is defined as a proton acceptor. In the
first reaction, we see that water accepts a proton to form H 3O+, thus acting as a base. In
the second reaction we see that water donates a proton to form H 2, and thus acts as an
acid.

15. Consider the below chemical equilibrium in a closed vessel at a constant

13
 temperature. The easiest method to measure the equilibrium constant for this
system is to measure:

1. Na2CO3(s) ⟷ CO2(g) + Na2O(s)

b. The temperature of the reaction.

c. The pressure of the CO2 gas.
d. The molar concentrations of all the reactants.
e. The forward and reverse rate constants.
f. The mass of the solid present.

Solution: The pressure of the CO2 gas is the only determinant in the equilibrium
constant.

16. The addition of a strong acid to a saturated solution of Mg(OH)2 that has
100g of solid remaining would cause which of the following?
a. Increase the number of OH ions in the solution
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 b. Cause Mg to precipitate
c. Increase the pH
d. Increase the number of Mg2+ ions in solution
e. Decrease the temperature of the solution

Solution:

 A small portion of the Mg(OH)2 still dissolves according to the following reaction:
Mg(OH)2 Mg2+ + 2OH–
 If we add a strong acid, or essentially H+, it will combine with the OH– to form H2O.
 Since some of the OH– has been removed, then according to Le Chatelier’s principle, the
reaction will shift to the right to restore equilibrium.
 As a result, more Mg(OH)2 will be dissolved, and more Mg2+ will be released, or answer
choice [D].

17. Describe the reaction below:

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 PCl3(g) + Cl2(g)→ PCl5(g) ; ΔHf = -87.9 kJ/mol

a. Spontaneous at all temperatures

b. Nonspontaneous at all temperatures
c. ΔGrxn < 0 only at low temperatures
d. Spontaneous only at high temperatures
e. ΔGrxn < 0 only at high temperatures

Solution:

Gibbs equation helps us determine if a reaction is spontaneous or non-spontaneous. It is

given as:

ΔG = ΔH – TΔS

 In this case, the enthalpy change ΔH is a negative number (exothermic). We know

that the entropy change (ΔS) is also negative (the products are more ordered than
the reactants) because the reactants are 2 moles of gas and the product is only 1
mole of gas (a synthesis of phosphorus pentachloride). Our equation can now be
read as:

ΔG = (negative number) – (temperature × (negative number))

 The last variable, temperature, is in Kelvin and thus always a positive number.

 However, we must consider two possibilities regarding temperature:

 (1) If this positive temperature is relatively low, the second part of the equation is a
small positive number.
 Thus, if you add (subtracting a negative number is the same as adding) a small
positive number to a negative number, it will probably still be negative (ΔG<0).
 (2) If the positive temperature is relatively high, the second part of the equation is a
large positive number.
 If you add a large positive number to a negative number, it will probably become
positive (ΔG>0).
 In both these cases, ambiguity is important because we don’t know the temperature
or ΔS. Choices [A] and [B] say it’s possible for the reaction to be
spontaneous/non-spontaneous at all temperatures, which we found out isn’t
necessarily true depending on how high the temperature is.
 Choice [D] says the reaction is spontaneous (ΔG<0) only at high temperatures, but
we determined this only happens at low temperatures, so it's incorrect.
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 Choice [E] says ΔG<0 at only high temperatures, but we determined that this is
only applied to low temperatures, so this must be incorrect too.
 The only answer that appropriately describes the case we have here is choice [C].

18. All of the following statements are true of entropy EXCEPT for one. Which
one is the EXCEPTION?

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 a. Entropy will increase as temperature increases
b. Entropy is a measure of the disorder in a system
c. A spontaneous reaction can produce an increase in entropy
d. The entropy of a forward reaction is the same as the entropy of the
reverse reaction
e. The entropy of a gas vessel increases as volume increases

Solution:

 Entropy is described as the measure of disorder, or randomness, in a system. The

greater the difference in entropy between reactants and products, the more likely a
reaction is to occur.
 Thus, a spontaneous reaction will always produce and increase in entropy.
However, for the same reason, the forward reaction never has the same entropy as
the reverse reaction, because if it did, the reaction would not occur.
 Choice (A) is true because as temperature increases the molecules in the reaction
move faster, more chaotic, and more random, hence an increase in entropy.
 Choice (E) is true because as volume increases the pressure of the vessel will
decrease, causing the gas molecules to be spread farther apart and in a less
“organized” state, thus increasing entropy.

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19. The rate law of a certain reaction is rate = k[X][Y] . The units of k is(are):
a. s-1

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 b. M-1s-2
c. M-2s-1
d. M-1E. M-1s-1

Solution:

 For this question, add up the exponents in the rate law. We see the [X] has 1 as its
exponent, and [Y]2 has 2 as its exponent. 1+2 = 3, so this is a third-order reaction.
It works the same with the units of k.
 Adding up the absolute values of the exponents in the answer choices reveals that
the answer must be either B or C. Units of k never include s -2, so the correct
answer is C. Look at the table below for more detail, notice the ascending trend of
the sum of the exponents relates to the ascending order of the reaction.
 First order: s-1
 Second order: M-1s-1
 Third order: M-2s-1

20.Given the reaction 2A + B --> C and the provided table with various
concentrations and initial rates, what is the correct rate law? Assume the rate

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 constant K does not change.

A. rate = k[A]1[B]1

B. rate = k[B]1
C. rate = k[A]1
D. rate = k[A]2[B]1
E. rate = k[A]1[B]2
21.The half-life of a radioactive isotope of strontium is 6 months. What mass of a

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 32-gram sample of this isotope will remain after one year?
a. 16 g
b. 8g
c. 4g
d. 2g
e. 1g

Solution:

One year is two half-lives. The sample will fall to half its value two times. 32 g * (1/2) *
(1/2) = 8 g.

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 22. For the given reaction below, which of the following is true?

A. The carbon is being oxidized and the aluminum oxide is being reduced.

B. The carbon is being reduced and the aluminum oxide is being oxidized.

C. Both the carbon and the aluminum oxide are being oxidized.

D. Both the carbon and the aluminum oxide are being reduced.

E. Neither the carbon nor the aluminum oxide are changing oxidation states.

Solution:

 The correct answer is A. In order to solve the problem, we need to write out the
oxidation numbers of each compound. Al2O3 has aluminum in a +3 oxidation

state, and CO2 has carbon in a +4 oxidation state.

 The natural elements, Al and C, have an oxidation state of 0. We can see that Al
goes from +3 to 0, meaning it gained electrons, or was reduced (its oxidation state
was reduced). Likewise, we can see that carbon goes from 0 to +4, meaning it lost
electrons, or was oxidized. This matches answer A.

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 23. Two half-reactions of silver(I) solution are set up in an galvanic cell with
differing concentrations. In this concentration cell, which of the following is
driving the current?
a. Voltage from an external battery source
b. Attraction of electrons to the higher concentration of Ag+ ions
c. Deposition of balancing ions from the salt bridge into the half reactions
d. Tendency for the two differing concentrations to equalize due to
entropy
e. Deposition of electrons and ions onto the anode

Solution:
In a normal galvanic cell, two different half reactions are used. In this case, the same half
reaction is used, silver (I), but the two half reactions have different concentrations. As we
know from general chemistry principles, two unequal concentrations will tend to equalize
due to entropy, making choice [D] the correct answer. Choice [A] is referring to an
electrolytic cell, and no external battery is mentioned in this setup. Choice [B] is false
because currents are not driven by the electrostatic attraction of electrons. Choice [C] is
false because the deposition of ions from the salt bridge only occurs after the reaction
takes place to balance the charges; it does not drive the current. Lastly, choice [E] can be
eliminated because it is saying electrons and ions are being deposited at the anode
(depositing means that reduction is occurring in this context). We know from our
mnemonic RED CAT, AN OX, that reduction cannot occur at the anode, and thus choice
[E] is false.

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 24.Which of the following best describes the bond character for hydrochloric
acid?
a. Polar bond
b. Covalent
c. Ionic
d. Hydrophobic
e. Hydrogen bonding

Solution:

Ionic bonds are generally formed between elements from the far left and the far right of
the periodic table. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) may appear ionic since it is made from
hydrogen and chlorine, which appear on opposite sides of the periodic table. However,
knowing the Lewis structure of HCl and general electronegativity trends, we should
know that the hydrogen and chlorine an electron to complete each other’s valence shells.
Therefore, the bond cannot be ionic. Only pure elements (N 2, for example) are purely
covalent. Since chlorine is much more electronegative than hydrogen, it will hog the
electron more than the hydrogen, creating polarity, so therefore this is a polar covalent
bond.

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 25. Single, double, and triple covalent bonds exist in chemistry. Why does N2
have a triple covalent bond whereas O2 only has a double covalent bond?
a. Nitrogen is unable to form a double bond due to its uneven amount of non-
bonding electrons.
b. Having 5 valence electrons, Nitrogen fills its octet by sharing 3 bonding
pairs of electrons.
c. Oxygen is more electronegative than Nitrogen and therefore cannot make as
many bonds as Nitrogen.
d. Oxygen has only 4 valence electrons, which results in 2 bondsE. Having 4
valence electrons; Nitrogen forms a bond for each orbital it fills.

Solution:

The number of vacancies in the valence shell determines the number of possible bonds
that can be formed. Oxygen has 6 electrons in its valence shell, which means there are 2
‘missing’ electrons for a full valence shell. Thus, it can form 2 bonds to fill the valence
shell. Likewise, nitrogen has 5 electrons, and is ‘missing’ 3 electrons for a full valence
shell, enabling it to form 3 bonds in order to fill the valence shell.

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 26.What is the difference between the bond angles of water and methane?
a. 5 degrees
b. 10.5 degrees
c. 61.5 degrees
d. 70.5 degrees
e. They have the same bond angle

Solution:

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 Structure Chemical formula

Compound Name

Methane

Ethane

Propane

Butane

Pentane

Heptane

Hexane

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Octane

Nonane

Decane

Undecane

Dodecane

Tridecane

Methane is the prototypical tetrahedral molecule. The bond angle between the carbon
atom and any pair of hydrogen atoms is 109.5 degrees. The molecule behaves according
to VSPER (valence shell electron-pair repulsion) theory, which states that atoms
surrounding a central atom will tend to move as far away from each other as possible.
Four substituents around one carbon atom usually form a tetrahedral molecule. The two
electron pairs surrounding oxygen in water assort themselves in much the same way, but
not quite. The two lone pairs in water actually exert a slightly stronger repulsive force on

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the hydrogen atoms, making the bond angle about 5 degrees more acute.

27. Which element has the smallest first ionization energy?

a. N
b. C
c. B
d.
e. Li

Solution:
In general, the first ionization energy increases from left to right along any period
because the effective nuclear charge increases. As more protons are added to the nucleus,
the electrons are held closer, and it takes more energy to tear electrons off (or ‘ionize’
them). Thus, the correct answer is E, Lithium.

28. Which compound(s) listed below would result in a basic solution when placed
in water?
a. BaO
b. CO2
c. Na2O
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 d. P4O10

Solution:

The key to answering this question is to remember that generally:

1. Metal oxides produce basic solutions in water.

2. Non-metal oxides produce acidic solutions in water.

Thus, compounds 1 and 3 are metal oxides and will produce basic solutions, their
reactions with water are listed below. Compounds 2 and 4 are non-metal oxides and react
with water to form acids.

Just for reference, transition metal oxides can be either acidic or basic depending on the
oxidation number of the metal. The higher the oxidation number, the more acidic the
corresponding oxide. For example, CrO (Cr has a +2 charge) is a basic oxide, but CrO 3
(where Cr has a +6 charge) is an acidic oxide. Just remember the general trend, for
transition metals the higher the oxidation number, the more acidic the oxide.

1. BaO + H O Ba2+ + 2 OH–

2
2. CO2 + H2O H2CO3
3. Na O + H O 2 Na+ + 2 OH–
2 2
4. P4O10 + 6 H2O 4 H3PO4

29.Which of the following pieces of laboratory equipment would be best for a

chemist to use to measure and transfer 8.7 mL of a solution from an
Erlenmeyer into a test tube?
a. Erlenmeyer flask

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 b. Buret
c. Beaker
d. Test tube
e. Pipet

Solution:

A. Erlenmeyer Flask
a. An Erlenmeyer flask is used for the transfer of liquids, mixture of liquids or
for reactions - but not accurate and should not be used for measurements;
therefore an Erlenmeyer flask is not volumetric –it is not calibrated or
graduated in a way that indicates very precise volumes. Since an
Erlenmeyer flask has a narrow neck than a beaker, it helps prevent splashing
outside of the container (this is particularly useful during titrations, where a
liquid is being dropped onto a solution)

b. A buret is used for the transfer of very precise amounts of liquid – primarily
in titrations to deliver specific, precise amounts of the titrant. A buret
contains a stopcock along its side that allows one to deliver solution
gradually. Once the endpoint is reached, the stopcock is closed and the
markings on the buret can be ready to determine the precise amount of liquid
that was delivered to the solution. While a buret could be used to accurately
measure 8.7 mL of a solution, it would not be the ideal choice compared to a
graduated pipet. While a pipet can easily draw up 8.7 mL from a solution (as
it is a more portable device), a buret is a stationary piece of equipment that
is loaded from the top as the solution must be poured in from above. This
is a precise (but less efficient) measurement method; therefore the answer
choice is incorrect. A buret is the ideal choice for transferring solution
during a titration where an unknown amount needs to be measured
accurately, but in most other situations where accuracy is desired, a pipet is
preferable.

c. Beaker: A beaker can be used for the transfer, mixture, and heating of
liquids, or for reactions – however, beakers are not accurate and should not

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 be used for measurements; therefore the answer choice is incorrect. A
beaker is not volumetric – it is not calibrated or graduated in a way that
indicates very precise volumes. Beakers are cylindrical in shape and can
vary in size.

d. Test Tube: A test tube, like a beaker, can be used for the transfer, mixture,
and heating of liquids, or for reactions – however, test tubes are not
accurate and should not be used for measurements; therefore the answer
choice is incorrect. A test tube is not volumetric – it is not calibrated to
indicate very precise volumes, and test tubes are generally not graduated in
any way.

e. A pipet is used for the measurement and transfer of very precise amounts of
liquid. Pipettes may be graduated (with several markings for varying
volume) or volumetric (a single marking for a set volume). Unlike a buret, a
pipette is portable and a graduated pipette could easily be used to accurately
measure a desired amount of solution, so the answer choice is correct. It is
important when transferring liquid with a pipette not to “blow out” or force
any remaining liquid at the very end of the pipette after the initial transfer –
a pipette is calibrated to account for this remaining liquid.

30. Which of the following techniques would a chemist first use to separate an
aqueous solution of KCl and sand?

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 a. Distillation
b. Filtration
c. Crystallization
d. Evaporation
e. Liquid Colum Chromatography

Solution:

a. Distillation is used to separate two liquids in a solution, but sand is a

solid, making distillation an ineffective technique here; therefore the answer
choice is incorrect. Distillation separates based on differences in boiling
point – if two liquids in a solution have boiling points that are similar, this
technique would not be very effective. In simple distillation, a solution is
heated and the component with the lower boiling point boils off first, then
cools down and condenses into another apparatus.

b. Filtration is an effective technique to separate a solid from a

liquid. The question presents a solution in which sand (a solid) is
present in an aqueous solution (of KCl and water). By passing this
mixture through a filter with pores of the appropriate size (small
enough to prevent sand from passing through, but large enough to
allow the aqueous solution – the filtrate – to pass), the sand particles
will be retained on the filter. The answer choice is correct. Note that
the goal of this question is not to separate the KCl and water in the
aqueous solution, limiting the separation techniques that can be
successfully applied here.

Note: If the question asked how to separate a dry mixture of KCl crystals and sand, we
would first place the mixture in water so the salt would dissolve while the sand stays
insoluble, and then we would filter the resulting solution to separate the salt water from
the sand.

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C.
Crystallization is used to purify solid compounds on the basis of differences in
solubility. The question presents an aqueous solution that also has a solid, making this
technique ineffective here; therefore the answer choice is incorrect. During
crystallization, a solid compound is added to a solvent (usually boiling). The solvent is
then slowly cooled to room temperature, and then cooled again in an ice bath. As
solubility of solids in solution generally lowers with temperature, as the solution cools the
less soluble portion of the solid compound will crystallize and separate from the more
soluble portion. This technique is also ineffective when the components of the solid
compound are similar in solubility.

D. Evaporation is the transition at the surface of a

liquid from liquid to gas. It is very similar to the phase
change of vaporization, but unlike vaporization (which
occurs throughout the entirety of a liquid and only at or
above the boiling point of the liquid), evaporation only
occurs at the surface and can occur at any temperature.
Evaporation is not applicable incorrect. It would,
however, be useful to separate the water from the KCl
after it is to the separation of salt and sand; therefore the
answer choice is filtrated, leaving behind salt crystals.

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E. Liquid column chromatography is used to differentiate liquids in a solution on the
basis of differences in polarity. The question presents an aqueous solution that contains
a solid, which needs to be separated, making this technique ineffective here; therefore the
answer choice is incorrect. In liquid column chromatography, a test tube or burette is
filled with highly polar beads. The solution is then poured through. The more polar
component of the solution will spend more time bound to the more polar beads, while the
less polar component (being less attracted to the polar beads) will run through more
quickly and have a faster elution time. This technique is generally more effective at
analytically checking the purity of a solution than it is for separation.

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