Question

Marjorie is trying to determine the identity of an unknown substance. After running tests, she determines that the substance is insoluble in CCl4 with a density of about 2.2 g/mL.

Substance Density Boiling Point Solubility (in water) Solubility (in CCl4)
NaCl 2.165 g/mL 1413°C soluble insoluble
C10H8 1.14 g/mL 255°C insoluble soluble
FeCl3 2.898 g/mL 315°C soluble insoluble
SiO2 2.634 g/mL 2590°C insoluble insoluble


Using the data above, which of the following substances is most likely Marjorie's unknown?
A.
NaCl
B.
C10H8
C.
FeCl3
D.
SiO2

Answers

GPT-4o mini
To identify the unknown substance, we will compare its properties with the properties of the given substances:

1. **Density**: The unknown substance has a density of about 2.2 g/mL.
2. **Solubility in Water**: The unknown substance is insoluble in water (as implied but not directly stated, since NaCl and FeCl3 are soluble).
3. **Solubility in CCl4**: The unknown is insoluble in CCl4.

Now, let's examine the options one by one:

- **A. NaCl**
- Density: 2.165 g/mL (close to 2.2 g/mL)
- Solubility: soluble in water (not a candidate, as the unknown is insoluble in water)

- **B. C10H8 (Naphthalene)**
- Density: 1.14 g/mL (much less than 2.2 g/mL)
- Solubility: insoluble in water, soluble in CCl4 (not a candidate due to density)

- **C. FeCl3**
- Density: 2.898 g/mL (higher than 2.2 g/mL)
- Solubility: soluble in water (not a candidate, as the unknown is insoluble in water)

- **D. SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide)**
- Density: 2.634 g/mL (higher than 2.2 g/mL, but it could be considered given the unknown is not specified with high precision)
- Solubility: insoluble in water and insoluble in CCl4 (fits the criteria for both solubility properties)

Given this analysis, of the options, **D. SiO2** is the most likely candidate for Marjorie's unknown substance because it is:
- Insoluble in water
- Insoluble in CCl4
- Has a density that is reasonably close to the unknown's density despite being slightly higher.

Thus, the answer is **D. SiO2**.