Question

Ax A student is given a sample of an unknown liquid to test in a lab investigation. The student thinks that the liquid is water. Which
of the following physical properties of the sample is most helpful to determine if the liquid is water?
4×

The boiling point of the liquid


The mass of the liquid
Ix

The color of the liquid


D The smell and taste of the liquid

Answer 1

The most helpful physical property to determine if the liquid is water would be **the boiling point of the liquid**.

Water has a well-defined boiling point at 100°C (212°F) under standard atmospheric pressure, so comparing the boiling point of the unknown liquid to this known value is a reliable method for identification.

The other properties mentioned (mass, color, and smell/taste) are less definitive for identifying water, as they can vary widely among different substances.