Beakers of water and acetone are left open over the weekend in a lab, allowing t

Question

Beakers of water and acetone are left open over the weekend in a lab, allowing them to evaporate. Both beakers are 4 cm deep. The acetone beaker begins with a depth of 4 cm of acetone whereas the water beaker only has 1.5 cm of water. Which beaker will completely evaporate first?

Data:

Water – diffusion coefficient in air is 0.3 cm2/s and the vapor pressure at roomt emperature is 0.03 atm

Acetone – diffusion coefficient in air is 0.10 cm2/s and the vapor pressure at room temperature is 0.53 atm.

Explanation / Answer

The evaporation occurs when a liquid becomes gas.

During the process the more energetic particles escape form the surface of liquid leaving less energetic particles

Now stronger the bonds between the molecules lesser the rate of evaporation

Here in case of acetone and water, water forms hydrogen bonds which holds the moelcules together more tightly than acetone molecules so the rate of evaporation of acetone will be more than water.

The diffusivity coeffecient indicates that how fast molecules of a gas will mix with other gas [here it is air].

Also, the water layer is less exposed as compared to acetone.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse B
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.