Final answer:
To make a 20% acid solution, the scientist needs to mix the 10% and 25% solutions. The scientist can set up an equation using the concentrations and volumes of the two solutions, and solve it to find the values of x and y.
Step-by-step explanation:
To make a 20% acid solution, the scientist needs to mix the 10% and 25% solutions. Let's assume the scientist needs x mL of the 10% solution and y mL of the 25% solution. The total volume of the solution should be 120 mL.
Using the equation of concentration, (concentration1 * volume1 + concentration2 * volume2) / total volume = desired concentration, we can set up the equation as follows:
(0.10 * x + 0.25 * y) / 120 = 0.20
Simplifying the equation will give:
0.10x + 0.25y = 24
The scientist needs to solve this system of equations along with the constraint that the total volume is 120 mL to find the values of x and y.