Chapter 2.1, Problem 11SP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:The property used to separate argon and carbon dioxide gases in the air should be identified.

Concept Introduction:A compound that is made up of two or more chemical components that are not chemically linked with each other is said to be a mixture.

Explanation of Solution

A property that is a characteristic of matter and not associated with any change in chemical composition is said to be physical property. The differences in physical properties like phase, boiling point, freezing point, particle size, solubility so on are used to separate mixtures.

The difference in the density and the boiling points of argon and carbon dioxide helps in separating argon and carbon dioxide gases in the air. The density of carbon dioxide is greater than argon so, carbon dioxide would be at the bottom whereas argon would be at the top.

The use of fractional distillation is also helpful in separating air into its constituent gases by using the boiling points of different gases. In this process, the air is cooled to liquefy followed by increasing the temperature so that the gas that reaches its boiling point evaporates and separates.