Question

A soft silvery metal with a melting point of 63.5`C reacts with chlorine gas. The substance formed by the reaction is a white crystalline solid with a density of 1.98 g/cm3. Is the new substance sodium chloride? Explain.

Answer 1

No.

Sodium Chloride has a density of 2.17 g/cm3

Step-by-step explanation:

-The resultant crystal is likely to be of Potassium Chloride

-The silvery metal is likely Potassium due to it's similar melting point of 63.5 °C which when reacts with Chlorine gas form a Potassium chloride with the following properties:

`Density=1.98\ g/cm^3\\\\Melting \ Point=770\textdegree C`

Hence, the crystal formed is not Sodium Chloride.

-The properties of sodium chloride are:

`Density=2.17\ g/cm^3\\\\Melting \ Point=800.7\textdegree C`