Question

a chemistry student is given 5.00 l of a clear aqueous solution at 42.°c. he is told an unknown amount of a certain compound x is dissolved in the solution. the student allows the solution to cool to 27.°c. at that point, the student sees that a precipitate has formed. he transfers the liquid to a clean new beaker and throws away the precipitate. the student then evaporates the water from the liquid in the new beaker under vacuum. it weighs 0.16 kg.
using only the information above, can you calculate the solubility of x in water at 27.°c?
if you said yes, calculate it.
be sure your answer has a unit symbol and the right number of significant digits.

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the solubility

Solubility is defined as the amount of solute per unit volume of solvent.
The mass of the solute \(X\) is \(m = 0.16\space kg=160\space g\) (since \(1\space kg = 1000\space g\)), and the volume of the solvent (water) is \(V = 5.00\space L\).
The formula for solubility \(S\) is \(S=\frac{m}{V}\).
Substitute the values: \(S=\frac{160\space g}{5.00\space L}\).

Step2: Simplify the expression

\(S = 32\space g/L\)

Answer:

\(32\space g/L\)