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You could start with physical appearance - is it a liquid or solid. What does it smell like (Be careful !! DON'T check what it tastes like :-( ) Is it a metal or a non metal, is it magnetic, hard, soft? etc will it disolve in water? or a solvent? ( polar or non polar?) if it disolves in water what is the pH of the solution? what is the unknown substances melting or boiling point? If it dissolves in water, chemical tests might include; is it a choride - test with silver nitrate solution. is it a sulphate - test with Barium Chloride.
What else can I help you with?
Why are solubility tests helpful to determine unknown substances?
A simple solubility test can be used to identify an unknown substance. Most substance will make a precipitate when around certain molecules.
Is it dangerous to smell an unknown substance?
Yes, it can be dangerous to smell an unknown substance as it could potentially be harmful or toxic. It's best to avoid inhaling any unknown fumes or odors and to seek professional advice if you have concerns.
How could one determine whether a sample of aspirin is pure or not?
The determination is by chemical analysis.
Can you determine the identity of unknown substance by observing its mass and volume?
No, you cannot. The mass and volume of an unknown substance will give you its density. Density is not a property that can identify a substance unless you know that it is pure but not if it could be a mixture. For example, sodium has a density of 0.97 g/cc and osmium a density of 22.6 g/cc. These two metals can be combined in various proportions to give an alloy with a density with any value between the two given numbers. I am not sure how stable such an alloy might be but the point is that you could make an alloy with the same density as tin, or iron, or lead or bronze or most other metals or metallic alloys that you care to name.
What are two ways to compare the density of a unknown substance?
One way is using the formula D=m/v. Or you could get some water and put the substance inside the water and see if the density is lower or higher.
What things could be used to determine whether a substance is an acid or a base?
litmus paper.
Why is it important to identify an unknown substance?
Because the substance could potentially be extremely toxic or harmful. You must never use an unknown substance in experiments without identifying it first, many tests can be undertaken to determine the cation and anion. These tests include the flame test, solubility tests, precipitate reaction tests and conductivity tests. These do vary depending on the unknown substance.
How could a determine whether an unknown substance was a mineral?
A mineral is any chemical compound with a constant chemical composition, which of course is the definition of a "pure substance". In earth science you might be distinguishing between "rock" and "mineral". A mineral is a pure substance. A rock is a mixture of two or more minerals in various proportions. For instance, the rock granite is made up of three minerals: quartz, feldspar and biotite (mica).
How would you test an unknown substance for to determine what organic molecules it contained?
You could start by performing tests such as chromatography to separate the different components in the substance and identify their properties. Mass spectrometry could help determine the molecular weight of the compounds present. Lastly, infrared spectroscopy can provide information on the functional groups present in the organic molecules.
How could you find out whether or not an unknown liquid was water?
you could taste it and hope you don't die
Contained in the chart to determine which unknown substance could be lithium?
Look for a substance that is soft, silver-white, and reacts vigorously with water. These characteristics are indicative of lithium. Additionally, check for any specific gravity or density values that align with lithium's properties.
Explain how you could find out whether or not an unknown liquid was water?
you could taste it and hope you don't die
You can use your senses to observe a what?
You can visually observe the color, opacity, viscosity of a substance. You can listen for audible sounds emanating from the substance. You can waft air currents over the substance to see if you can smell anything - NEVER directly sniff an unknown substance. You could touch the substance while wearing chemical resistant gloves to determine texture. The only sense you absolutely should not use is the sense of taste as you could be accidentally ingesting a poision or toxin.
What can you use your senses to observe?
You can visually observe the color, opacity, viscosity of a substance. You can listen for audible sounds emanating from the substance. You can waft air currents over the substance to see if you can smell anything - NEVER directly sniff an unknown substance. You could touch the substance while wearing chemical resistant gloves to determine texture. The only sense you absolutely should not use is the sense of taste as you could be accidentally ingesting a poision or toxin.
Why are solubility tests helpful to determine unknown substances?
A simple solubility test can be used to identify an unknown substance. Most substance will make a precipitate when around certain molecules.
Is it dangerous to smell an unknown substance?
Yes, it can be dangerous to smell an unknown substance as it could potentially be harmful or toxic. It's best to avoid inhaling any unknown fumes or odors and to seek professional advice if you have concerns.
How could you use the word determine in a sentence?
How do you determine whether to use present or past tense? Your scores will determine the winner.
