Question

in the extraction, the aqueous layer is on the bottom and the organic layer is on the top. the aqueous layer is on the bottom because: group of answer choices water molecules have hydrogen-bonding water molecules are more polar water is more dense water has a lower molecular weight

Answer 1

In an extraction process, the aqueous layer settles at the bottom because water is denser than the typically less dense organic solvents, due to water's polarity and hydrogen bonding.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the extraction process, the aqueous layer is on the bottom and the organic layer is on the top. The reason the aqueous layer is on the bottom is because water is more dense compared to the organic solvents commonly used in extractions. This difference in density is a result of water's polarity and hydrogen bonding capabilities, leading to a higher density that causes it to settle below less dense organic layers that are typically composed of nonpolar substances with weaker van der Waals forces and a lower density.