Question

Why should a separatory funnel never be laid on its side?

a) To prevent leakage
b) To maintain equilibrium
c) To ensure accurate measurements
d) To avoid mixing layers

Answer 1

A separatory funnel should never be laid on its side to avoid mixing layers of immiscible liquids.

Step-by-step explanation:

A separatory funnel should never be laid on its side in order to avoid mixing layers. When the two immiscible liquids are poured into the funnel, they will separate into layers based on their densities. If the funnel is laid on its side, the layers can mix together, defeating the purpose of using a separatory funnel for extraction.

By keeping the funnel upright, the denser liquid can be easily drained out through the stopcock at the bottom while the lighter liquid remains on top. This ensures that the two liquids remain separate and the desired product can be recovered.