Ch.1 - Chemical Tools: Experimentation & Measurement

Problem 55

Chapter 1, Problem 55

Of the 90 or so naturally occurring elements, only four are liquid near room temperature: mercury (melting point = -38.87 °C), bromine (melting point = -7.2 °C), cesium (melting point = 28.40 °C), and gallium (melting point = 29.78 °C). Convert these melting points to degrees Fahrenheit.

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Identify the formula for converting Celsius to Fahrenheit: \( F = \frac{9}{5}C + 32 \).

Substitute the melting point of mercury (-38.87 °C) into the formula: \( F = \frac{9}{5}(-38.87) + 32 \).

Substitute the melting point of bromine (-7.2 °C) into the formula: \( F = \frac{9}{5}(-7.2) + 32 \).

Substitute the melting point of cesium (28.40 °C) into the formula: \( F = \frac{9}{5}(28.40) + 32 \).

Substitute the melting point of gallium (29.78 °C) into the formula: \( F = \frac{9}{5}(29.78) + 32 \).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Melting Point

The melting point is the temperature at which a solid becomes a liquid at atmospheric pressure. It is a critical physical property that indicates the phase transition of a substance. For example, mercury melts at -38.87 °C, meaning it transitions from solid to liquid at this temperature.

Temperature Conversion

Temperature conversion involves changing a temperature value from one scale to another, such as Celsius to Fahrenheit. The formula for converting Celsius to Fahrenheit is F = (C × 9/5) + 32. Understanding this conversion is essential for accurately interpreting temperature data across different measurement systems.

States of Matter

States of matter refer to the distinct forms that different phases of matter take on. The most common states are solid, liquid, and gas. The transition between these states, such as melting from solid to liquid, is influenced by temperature and pressure, which is crucial for understanding the behavior of elements like mercury and bromine near room temperature.

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