If these compounds are shaken in a test tube for 10-20 sec will they form a miscible (1 layer) or immisible (form 2 layers)?

a) water and ethyl alcohol
miscible
b)water and dimethyl ether
miscible
c)water and methylene chloride
immisible
d)water and hexane
immisible
e)Hexane and methylene chloride
miscible

Am I correct? I'm trying to predict what will happen before I do this in lab.

Thanks =)

All of these look ok. My Merck Index lists ether as slightly soluble in water and water slightly soluble in ether. Sol ether in water is 8.3%(w/w). From that I would think miscible. It has been so long since I did this in the lab I've forgotten.

My lab book recommended that the Merck Index be used to look stuff up about the individual chemicals but it's quite costly, however it is simpler to look in 1 book rather than surfing the internet for awhile and having to site all the sources of the chemical information.

I forgot to say Thank You Dr.Bob =D

Most libraries have it.I bought mine from Amazon.com and bought a used copy for about half price. It's about 10 years old now and was about 2-3 years old when I bought it. So-called out of date copies are always a good bargain.

Hm..I'll look for one then.

Thanks Dr.Bob =)

Yes, you are correct in your predictions. Here's how you can determine whether two compounds will form a miscible solution (one layer) or an immiscible solution (two layers):

1. Water and ethyl alcohol: Both compounds are polar and have similar molecular structures. Polar compounds are generally miscible in each other, so water and ethyl alcohol will form a miscible solution (one layer) when shaken together.

2. Water and dimethyl ether: While both compounds are polar, dimethyl ether is less polar than water. In general, polar compounds can mix with other polar compounds, but nonpolar compounds cannot mix with polar compounds. Therefore, water and dimethyl ether will form a miscible solution (one layer).

3. Water and methylene chloride: Methylene chloride is a nonpolar compound, while water is polar. Nonpolar and polar compounds do not mix well, so water and methylene chloride will form an immiscible solution (two layers).

4. Water and hexane: Similar to the previous case, hexane is a nonpolar compound and water is polar. Hence, water and hexane will form an immiscible solution (two layers).

5. Hexane and methylene chloride: Both hexane and methylene chloride are nonpolar compounds. Nonpolar compounds tend to mix well with other nonpolar compounds, so hexane and methylene chloride will form a miscible solution (one layer).

These predictions should help you anticipate the outcome before conducting the experiment in the lab.