Chapter 2, Problem 43A

Solution

(a)

Interpretation: The physical state of gold at room temperature needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction: There are generally three states of matter that is solid, liquid and gas. Substances that are solid at room temperature have high melting and boiling points. Melting point is defined as the temperature at which a solid substance starts melting. The boiling point is defined as the temperature of a liquid when its vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure. This is the temperature when liquid starts boiling and converts into vapor.

Gold is solid at room temperature.

Gold is a metal. They are generally solid at room temperature. Also, the melting point of gold is $1064{}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ which is very high in temperature. Thus, gold starts to melt when the temperature is above $1064{}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ and below this temperature it is solid.

Therefore, the physical state of gold at room temperature is solid.

(b)

Interpretation: The physical state of gasoline at room temperature needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction: There are generally three states of matter that is solid, liquid and gas. Substances that are solid at room temperature have high melting and boiling points. Melting point is defined as the temperature at which a solid substance starts melting. The boiling point is defined as the temperature of a liquid when its vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure. This is the temperature when liquid starts boiling and converts into vapor.

Gasoline is liquid at room temperature.

Gasoline is a fuel that is generally composed of crude oil and other petroleum liquids. The boiling point is around $35{}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ , which is more than room temperature. Thus, gasoline is liquid at room temperature.

(c)

Interpretation: The physical state of oxygen at room temperature needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction: There are generally three states of matter that is solid, liquid and gas. Substances that are solid at room temperature have high melting and boiling points. Melting point is defined as the temperature at which a solid substance starts melting. The boiling point is defined as the temperature of a liquid when its vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure. This is the temperature when liquid starts boiling and converts into vapor.

Oxygen is gas at room temperature.

Oxygen is a non-metal. Non-metals are generally gases. Here, the boiling point of oxygen is $-183{}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ which is very low. Thus, oxygen is gas above this temperature; therefore, it is gas at room temperature.

(d)

Interpretation: The physical state of neon at room temperature needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction: There are generally three states of matter that is solid, liquid and gas. Substances that are solid at room temperature have high melting and boiling points. Melting point is defined as the temperature at which a solid substance starts melting. The boiling point is defined as the temperature of a liquid when its vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure. This is the temperature when liquid starts boiling and converts into vapor.

Neon is gas at room temperature.

Neon is a noble gas. The melting point and boiling point of neon is $-249{}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ and $-246{}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ respectively. The boiling point of neon is very low thus it is gas above this temperature. Therefore, neon is gas at room temperature.

(e)

Interpretation: The physical state of olive oil at room temperature needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction: There are generally three states of matter that is solid, liquid and gas. Substances that are solid at room temperature have high melting and boiling points. Melting point is defined as the temperature at which a solid substance starts melting. The boiling point is defined as the temperature of a liquid when its vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure. This is the temperature when liquid starts boiling and converts into vapor.

Olive oil is liquid at room temperature.

The boiling point of olive oil is around $299{}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ which is very high. Below this temperature olive oil is a liquid. Therefore, olive oil is liquid at room temperature.

(f)

Interpretation: The physical state of sulfur at room temperature needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction: There are generally three states of matter that is solid, liquid and gas. Substances that are solid at room temperature have high melting and boiling points. Melting point is defined as the temperature at which a solid substance starts melting. The boiling point is defined as the temperature of a liquid when its vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure. This is the temperature when liquid starts boiling and converts into vapor.

Sulphur is solid at room temperature.

Sulphur is a non-metal. The melting point of sulphur is ${\text{115 }}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ thus, it is solid below this temperature. Therefore, sulphur is solid at room temperature.

(g)

Interpretation: The physical state of mercury at room temperature needs to be determined.

Concept Introduction: There are generally three states of matter that is solid, liquid and gas. Substances that are solid at room temperature have high melting and boiling points. Melting point is defined as the temperature at which a solid substance starts melting. The boiling point is defined as the temperature of a liquid when its vapor pressure is equal to the atmospheric pressure. This is the temperature when liquid starts boiling and converts into vapor.

Mercury is liquid at room temperature.

The melting and boiling point of mercury is $-39{}^{\text{o}}{\text{C to 357 }}^{\text{o}}\text{C }$ ; thus, it is solid below $-39{}^{\text{o}}\text{C}$ and gas above ${\text{357 }}^{\text{o}}\text{C }$ . It is liquid in the temperature range $-39{}^{\text{o}}{\text{C to 357 }}^{\text{o}}\text{C }$ . Therefore, mercury is liquid at room temperature.