Select the correct answer.

Lars observes a substance to be a solid and to float in water at room temperature ([tex]23^{\circ} C[/tex]). Based on the given properties, which substance is the most likely identity of this sample?

\begin{tabular}{|l|c|c|c|}
\hline \multicolumn{1}{|c|}{Substance} & \begin{tabular}{c}
Melting \\
Point \\
([tex]$^{\circ}C$[/tex])
\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{c}
Boiling \\
Point \\
([tex]$^{\circ}C$[/tex])
\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{c}
Density at \\
Room \\
Temperature \\
([tex]$g/cm^3$[/tex])
\end{tabular} \\
\hline \begin{tabular}{l}
carbon \\
tetrachloride
\end{tabular} & -22.9 & 76.7 & 1.59 \\
\hline cetyl alcohol & 49.3 & 344 & 0.811 \\
\hline dichlorobenzene & 53.5 & 174 & 1.25 \\
\hline \begin{tabular}{l}
sulfur \\
hexafluoride
\end{tabular} & -64 & -50.8 & 0.00617 \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

A. carbon tetrachloride
B. cetyl alcohol
C. dichlorobenzene
D. sulfur hexafluoride



Answer :

To determine the correct substance that Lars observes, we need to consider the given properties of the substances and the conditions at room temperature (23°C).

Given data for each substance:

1. Carbon tetrachloride
- Melting Point: -22.9°C
- Boiling Point: 76.7°C
- Density: 1.59 g/cm³

2. Cetyl alcohol
- Melting Point: 49.3°C
- Boiling Point: 344°C
- Density: 0.811 g/cm³

3. Dichlorobenzene
- Melting Point: 53.5°C
- Boiling Point: 174°C
- Density: 1.25 g/cm³

4. Sulfur hexafluoride
- Melting Point: -64°C
- Boiling Point: -50.8°C
- Density: 0.00617 g/cm³

Conditions at room temperature:
- Temperature: 23°C
- Density of water: 1.0 g/cm³

To solve the problem, we need to find a substance that meets the following criteria at 23°C:
1. It is a solid.
2. It floats in water.

To be a solid:
- The room temperature (23°C) should be less than the melting point of the substance.

To float in water:
- The density of the substance must be less than the density of water (1.0 g/cm³).

Let's evaluate each substance:

1. Carbon tetrachloride:
- Melting Point: -22.9°C (23°C > -22.9°C, so it’s not a solid at room temperature)

2. Cetyl alcohol:
- Melting Point: 49.3°C (23°C < 49.3°C, so it’s a solid)
- Density: 0.811 g/cm³ (less than 1.0 g/cm³, so it will float)

3. Dichlorobenzene:
- Melting Point: 53.5°C (23°C < 53.5°C, so it’s a solid)
- Density: 1.25 g/cm³ (greater than 1.0 g/cm³, so it will sink)

4. Sulfur hexafluoride:
- Melting Point: -64°C (23°C > -64°C, so it’s not a solid at room temperature)

From this analysis, we can conclude that the only substance which is both a solid and floats in water at room temperature is cetyl alcohol.

Correct answer: B. Cetyl alcohol

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