filter paper is a poor material on which to powder a solid before introducing it into a melting tube .explain why?
You mix in fibers from the filter paper with the sample.
Filter paper is a poor material to powder a solid before introducing it into a melting tube due to a couple of reasons:
1. Porosity: Filter paper is designed to have tiny pores that allow liquid to pass through while retaining solid particles. These pores can trap powdered solids, making it difficult to transfer the entire sample into the melting tube. The porosity of filter paper results in a loss of sample during the transfer process.
2. Residue: Filter paper is typically made of cellulose fibers, which can leave behind trace amounts of organic material when burned. When a solid is powdered on filter paper and introduced into a melting tube, the heat can cause combustion of the filter paper fibers, leading to contamination of the sample with organic residue. This can interfere with the analysis or reactions taking place in the melting tube.
To avoid these limitations, alternative materials such as glassine or weighing paper are recommended for powdering solids before introducing them into a melting tube. These materials have lower porosity and do not leave behind organic residues when heated, ensuring a more accurate and uncontaminated analysis.