CAIE A Level Chemistry 9701 · Equilibria

Equilibria: describe question

Describe7 marksChallenge

A student investigates the distribution of a non-polar organic compound, J, between water and an organic solvent, T, at 298 K. At equilibrium, the concentration of J in water is 0.020 mol dm−3^{-3} and in T is 0.080 mol dm−3^{-3}.

Describe what is meant by the partition coefficient, KpcK_{\mathrm{pc}}, of compound J between water and solvent T. Suggest and explain how the numerical value of the partition coefficient would differ if a more polar organic solvent, U, were used instead of T.

0 words · 7 marks

No account needed for your first marks. Your answer is used only to mark it.

How this question is marked

7 marks, so the mark scheme is looking for about 7 separate creditworthy points. Making the same point twice in different words earns it once.

Describe means: Say what happens or what something is like, in order and with detail. You are not being asked why. If there is data, quote it: name the trend, then give figures with units at the points where it changes.

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