In: Chemistry
pre lab question:
Formulate a hypothesis that address the following question: How will adding more alcohol to a solution of potassium oxalate and iron oxalate affect the size of the crystals that form from this solution?
The crystals formed from the solution are of potassium
ferrioxolate. When the concentration of alcohol increases in the
system, it increases the Gibbs Free Energy of the
system. Since
is directly
proportional to the rate of a reaction, (from the below
equation)
If K is the rate constant for the formation of crystals, it increases with high concentration of alcohol.
Addition of alcohol simply to precipitate the crystals gives
small crystals since high of the
system causes high K value and hence the crystals are formed very
fast. Formation of crystal in a less time allows it to form many
small crystals instead of further growing in size. But, addition of
alcohol on the surface of the solution slowly allows it to diffuse
slowly through the solution and causes it to grow slowly over a
period of time causing larger sixe crystals unlike the formation of
many small sized crystals in the earlier case.