Final answer:
Adding a drying agent too quickly to a solution can cause the solvent to boil. This is because some drying agents react exothermically with water and release heat, raising the temperature of the solution to its boiling point. It is important to add drying agents slowly and cautiously to prevent boiling.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a drying agent is added too quickly to a solution, it can cause the solvent to boil. This is because some drying agents, such as concentrated sulfuric acid or anhydrous calcium chloride, react exothermically with water and release heat. If the heat released is enough to increase the temperature of the solution to its boiling point, the solvent will start to boil.
For example, if concentrated sulfuric acid is added too quickly to a solution, the reaction between sulfuric acid and water can generate a considerable amount of heat. This heat can raise the temperature of the solution to its boiling point, causing the solvent to boil.
It is important to add drying agents slowly and cautiously to prevent excessive heat generation and boiling of the solvent.