Question

When using a separatory funnel for extracting an aqueous solution of benzoic acid, which of the following organic solvents is most likely going to be the BOTTOM layer of the extraction?(A) Chloroform(B) Hexane(C) Octane(D) Diethyl ether

Answer 1

Letter a chloroform is the correct answer

Answer 2

(A) Chloroform

Step-by-step explanation:

When two non-miscible liquids are put in a separatory funnel, the denser liquid will be the bottom layer of the extraction.

An aqueous solution of benzoic acid will have a density somewhat higher than the density of the pure solvent, which is water (water density ≅ 1g/cm³).

• Chloroform has a density of 1.49 g/cm³

• Hexane has a density of 0.655 g/cm³

• Octane has a density of 0.703 g/cm³

• Diethyl ether has a density of 0.713 g/cm³

Chloroform is denser than water and is the densest among the options, so the correct answer is A).