Partition (distribution) coefficient, k, of benzyl alcohol in hexane and water is 12.0. Choose for the correct equation for the amount of benzyl alcohol as x that you should use to calculate the amount of benzyl alcohol extracted with one 10mL portion of hexane from 500mg of benzyl alcohol in 10mL water.
A. 12=(x mg/10mL hexane)/[(x mg-500mg)/10mL of water]
B. 12=(x mg/10mL hexane)/[(500mg-xmg)/10mL water]
C. 12=[(500mg-xmg)/10mL water]/(xmg/10mL of hexane)
D. 12=[(500mg-xmg)10mL hexane]/(xmg/10mL of water)
E. 12=[(xmg-500mg)/10mL hexane]/[(xmg)/15mL of water]
Can you tell me what your main problem is here. It looks to me as if the correct answer is B.
To determine the correct equation for calculating the amount of benzyl alcohol extracted with one 10mL portion of hexane from 500mg of benzyl alcohol in 10mL water, let's analyze the information given.
The partition (distribution) coefficient (k) of benzyl alcohol in hexane and water is stated as 12.0. This coefficient relates the concentrations or amounts of a substance in two immiscible phases. In this case, it compares the concentration in hexane to the concentration in water.
We are essentially looking for the equation that properly represents this relationship using the given information.
The general equation for the partition (distribution) coefficient is:
k = (concentration in Phase 1) / (concentration in Phase 2)
In this case, Phase 1 represents hexane and Phase 2 represents water. To calculate the amount of benzyl alcohol extracted with one 10mL portion of hexane, we need to express the concentrations (amounts) in terms of x, where x is the amount of benzyl alcohol in milligrams (mg).
Now, let's compare the given equations with the general equation and choose the correct equation:
A. 12 = (x mg/10mL hexane) / [(x mg - 500mg) / 10mL water]
B. 12 = (x mg/10mL hexane) / [(500mg - x mg) / 10mL water]
C. 12 = [(500mg - x mg) / 10mL water] / (x mg/10mL hexane)
D. 12 = [(500mg - x mg) * 10mL hexane] / (x mg/10mL water)
E. 12 = [(x mg - 500mg) / 10mL hexane] / [(x mg) / 15mL water]
Comparing equation A with the general equation, we notice that the concentrations of benzyl alcohol in hexane and water are correctly represented. Therefore, the correct equation for calculating the amount of benzyl alcohol extracted with one 10mL portion of hexane is option:
A. 12 = (x mg/10mL hexane) / [(x mg - 500mg) / 10mL water]