Comment on the solubility of the following liquids. State whether at room temperature you expect the components to be highly soluble or almost insoluble, and choose the appropriate reasons why.
HINT: It may behoove you to draw the Lewis structure for each molecule.
(A) H2 in methane, CH4(liquid):
answer: highly soluble
(B) Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) in liquid ammonia (NH3):
Answer: highly soluble
Explain your answer from part (B) above. Check all that apply:
The components are both polar and therefore have the capability of mixing
To determine the solubility of a liquid, it is important to consider the polarity of the components involved. The polar nature of molecules and their ability to mix determines their solubility.
In the case of (A) H2 in methane (CH4), both molecules are nonpolar. The hydrogen molecule (H2) is a simple diatomic molecule with two hydrogen atoms bonded together. Methane (CH4) is a tetrahedral molecule with the carbon atom in the center bonded to four hydrogen atoms.
Since both H2 and CH4 are nonpolar, they have similar intermolecular forces (London dispersion forces) and molecular structures. As a result, they are compatible and can intermix easily. Therefore, at room temperature, we expect these components to be highly soluble in each other.
In the case of (B) Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) in liquid ammonia (NH3), both molecules are polar. Ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) is an ionic compound consisting of ammonium (NH4+) and chloride (Cl-) ions. Liquid ammonia (NH3) is a polar molecular compound with a trigonal pyramidal structure.
Due to the polar nature of both NH4Cl and NH3, they have strong intermolecular forces such as dipole-dipole and ion-dipole interactions. These forces allow the components to attract and interact with each other effectively, resulting in high solubility.
Therefore, at room temperature, we expect ammonium chloride to be highly soluble in liquid ammonia.
In summary, the solubility of liquids is largely determined by their polarity and intermolecular interactions. When the components are both polar, like in the case of ammonium chloride in liquid ammonia, they are highly soluble as they have the capability to mix due to similar intermolecular forces.