Solvents and solubilityEdexcel International A Level Chemistry: Mind map

Exam questions on Solvents and solubility

1. Sodium chloride is a white ionic solid. It dissolves readily in water but is insoluble in hexane, C₆H₁₄, which is a non-polar liquid.
   Explain how water dissolves sodium chloride.2 marks
2. Ethanol, CH₃CH₂OH, mixes completely with water. 1-Chlorobutane, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl, is a polar liquid but is only very slightly soluble in water.
   Explain, in terms of intermolecular forces, why ethanol mixes completely with water.2 marks
3. A technician is choosing solvents. Water is a polar liquid whose molecules are held together by hydrogen bonds. Hexane is a non-polar liquid whose molecules are held together only by London forces. 1-Bromobutane, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂Br, is a polar molecule that cannot form hydrogen bonds.
   Explain why 1-bromobutane is only slightly soluble in water.3 marks