Question

A chemist performs a chemical reaction under a fume hood. The chemist has set up an experiment with various liquids being combined in breakers to form a precipitate. The fume hood is closed during the experiment without the fan running. Which of these is best considered as part of the surroundings?
A. The liquids being combined
B. In the lab outside of the fume hood
C. The air inside the fume hood
D. The beakers containing the liquids

Answer 1

In a thermodynamic context, the surroundings refer to everything that is not part of the system being studied, which in this case is the chemical reaction occurring in the beakers.

- A. The liquids being combined - This is part of the system, not the surroundings.
- B. In the lab outside of the fume hood - This is part of the surroundings, but it’s not the most immediate context for the reaction.
- C. The air inside the fume hood - This is also part of the surroundings as it is not involved in the reaction occurring in the beakers.
- D. The beakers containing the liquids - These are part of the system.

The best answer considering what is part of the surroundings and relevant to the environment of the chemical reaction would be:

**B. In the lab outside of the fume hood**

Since it encompasses the broader surroundings beyond just the air inside the fume hood.