A student was trying to determine the identity of an unknown compound.  The melting point of the compound was 117-118oC. The student narrowed the possible compound down to the following:   Compound Melting Point Range acetanilide 113-115oC fluorene 114-116oC mandelic acid 120-122oC A second student, doing the same experiment as above, found that their melting point was 100-108oC.  What is wrong with the student’s melting point? Propose two reasons why the melting point could be incorrect.

Chemistry
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ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
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A student was trying to determine the identity of an unknown compound.  The melting point of the compound was 117-118oC.

The student narrowed the possible compound down to the following:

 

Compound Melting Point Range
acetanilide 113-115oC
fluorene 114-116oC
mandelic acid 120-122oC

A second student, doing the same experiment as above, found that their melting point was 100-108oC. 

  1. What is wrong with the student’s melting point?
  2. Propose two reasons why the melting point could be incorrect.
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Expert Solution
Step 1

Melting point of any substance is defined as the point where solid form changes to liquid form.

Melting point is a physical property which helps us to identify the unknown substance.

If the melting point range obtained from experiment is narrow we can use that value for the determination unknown.

If the melting point range is wide determination of unknown substance would be difficult.

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