Question

A geochemist in the field takes a small sample of the crystals of mineral compound X from a rock pool lined with more crystals of X. He notes the temperature of the pool, 26.° C, and caps the sample carefully. Back in the lab, the geochemist dissolves the crystals in 3.00 L of distilled water. He then filters this solution and evaporates all the water under vacuum. Crystals of X are left behind. The researcher washes, dries and weighs the crystals. They weigh 0.36 kg
1) Using only the information above can you calculate the solubility of X in water at 26 degrees Celsius? yes or no

2) If yes calculate the solubility. Round answer to 2 signifacnt digit

Answer 1

Answer:

1. No, you cannot calculate the solubility of X in water at 26ºC.

Explanation:

You cannot calculate the solubility of X in water at 26 degrees Celsius because you do not know whether the solution formed by dissolving the crystals in 3.00 liters of water is saturaed or not.

The only way to determine the solubility of the compound X is by dissolving the crystals in certain (measured) amount of water and making sure that some crystals remain undissolved, as a solid on the bottom of the beaker.

Next, you should filter the solution to remove the undissolved crystals. Then, weigh the solution, evaporate, wash, dry, and weigh the crystals.

Then you have the mass of the crystals dissolved and the mass of the solution which will let you calculate the mass of pure water, and then the solubility.