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Ch.13 - Solutions & Their Properties
Chapter 13, Problem 60

How would you prepare each of the following solutions?(c) A solution of methyl alcohol (methanol) and water in which Xmethanol = 0.15 and Xwater = 0.85

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1
Identify the mole fraction (X) values given in the problem: Xmethanol = 0.15 and Xwater = 0.85.
Understand that mole fraction (X) is defined as the number of moles of a component divided by the total number of moles of all components in the solution.
Decide on the total number of moles for the solution that would make calculations manageable. For example, using a total of 100 moles makes it easy to work with percentages.
Calculate the number of moles of methanol using its mole fraction: (0.15) multiplied by the total moles (e.g., 100 moles).
Calculate the number of moles of water using its mole fraction: (0.85) multiplied by the total moles (e.g., 100 moles).

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Key Concepts

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

Mole Fraction

Mole fraction is a way of expressing the concentration of a component in a mixture. It is defined as the ratio of the number of moles of a specific component to the total number of moles of all components in the mixture. In this case, Xmethanol = 0.15 indicates that 15% of the total moles in the solution are methanol, while Xwater = 0.85 indicates that 85% are water.
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Preparation of Solutions

Preparing a solution involves mixing a solute with a solvent to achieve a desired concentration. To prepare a solution with specific mole fractions, one must calculate the required amounts of each component based on their mole fractions and the total volume of the solution desired. This ensures that the final mixture has the correct proportions of each substance.
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Properties of Methanol and Water Mixtures

Methanol and water are both polar solvents, and their mixtures exhibit unique properties such as changes in boiling point, freezing point, and density. Understanding these properties is essential when preparing solutions, as they can affect the behavior of the solution in various chemical processes. Additionally, the miscibility of methanol and water means they can form a homogeneous solution at the specified mole fractions.
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