Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Solid solutes that are less dense than the solvent?

fusso - 27-10-2018 at 15:22

Usually when we're crystallizing chemicals, the crystals form at the bottom of the container. What combinations of solvents and solid solutes can cause the solute to be less dense than the solvent and will float on top of it? Use CCl4 as solvent?

chornedsnorkack - 31-10-2018 at 22:07

One fairly common low density solid solute in water is salts of higher carboxylic acids with alkali metals, i. e. soaps.

Density of water can be increased by adding solutes such as sodium chloride, which also diminishes the solubility of soap.