Question

Ethylene chloride, ClCH₂CH₂Cl (98.96 g/mol, density = 1.26 g/mL, bp = 83 °C), is an organic solvent with polarity similar to methylene chloride, and is also not miscible with water. If substituted for methylene chloride in this partition coefficient experiment, would ethylene chloride form the top or bottom layer? Why?

Answer 1

Ethylene chloride will form the bottom layer in the partition coefficient experiment.

Step-by-step explanation:

In this partition coefficient experiment, ethylene chloride would form the bottom layer. The reason for this is that ethylene chloride is less dense than water, with a density of 1.26 g/mL, while water has a density of 1 g/mL. Based on the principle of density, the less dense substance will float on top of the denser substance.