Final answer:
True, the nature of chemicals influences the construction of their storage drums, as different properties of chemicals require containers to be designed with unique considerations for safety and stability. For instance, 800 liters of petroleum ether would increase pressure on the walls and floor of a redesigned drum due to the increased volume.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the nature of the chemical dictates the construction of the storage drum is true. Chemicals have various properties that can affect the materials and design of their containers. For example, sodium is highly reactive and must be stored under oil to prevent it from reacting with air or moisture. Similarly, chlorine, which is a poisonous gas, would require a storage drum that is air-tight and made of a material that can contain gases without reacting or degrading.
Regarding the storage of petroleum ether, if a drum were redesigned to hold 800 liters of it, the pressure exerted on the walls of the drum would likely increase if we are to assume that the wall's area remains the same. The increase in volume may lead to increased pressure, particularly if the petroleum ether is stored under conditions where it can vaporise. The pressure on the floor would also increase as the weight of the substance increases with volume, assuming the density of the liquid does not change.
The properties of chemicals are crucial to consider in storage because different substances have varying requirements. The structure of a chemical storage drum must take into account the potential energy of the chemicals contained, their corrosive nature, and the conditions that may affect their stability, such as light exposure, temperature changes, and pressure.