Vikascoder - 29-1-2012 at 00:40
I have buyed many solvents and their names slip got mixed up now how can i know which one is ethanol , isopropyl alcohol and acetic acid and none of
them dissolve styrofoam
Nicodem - 29-1-2012 at 01:38
Ever heard about something called physical properties, such as boiling points?
weiming1998 - 29-1-2012 at 02:43
First place a strip of zinc/magnesium in all 3. The one with the fizzing strip is acetic acid
Then mix the other two in two different cups of water and add salt to both. The one that forms two separate layers is isopropyl. The one that doesn't
form two separated layers is ethanol.
Strips
Vikascoder - 29-1-2012 at 04:59
I have to place both the strips or any one out of zinc or magnesium i have zinc but not magnesium
Strips
Vikascoder - 29-1-2012 at 05:00
I have to place both the strips or any one out of zinc or magnesium i have zinc but not magnesium also i forgot to mention there is methanol also
what is the check for methanol
weiming1998 - 29-1-2012 at 05:38
Just zinc should suffice. You don't even need to use zinc, just the smell of it would tell you which is acetic acid. Glacial acetic acid has a VERY
strong smell of vinegar. Also, to tell methanol apart from ethanol, use copper sulfate. Or get a thermometer and boil it. If the thermometer says
60-70 degrees when the substance is boiling, then it's methanol. if 70-80 degrees, then it's ethanol. But I wouldn't try boiling unless you have got a
good fume hood because methanol is toxic, and fumes like that could poison/blind you.
Vikascoder - 30-1-2012 at 05:29
Copper sulfate is insoluble in methanol or it is insoluble in ethanol
weiming1998 - 30-1-2012 at 05:41
Copper sulfate pentahydrate is insoluble in ethanol, but soluble in methanol. Make sure it is NOT anhydrous copper sulfate, which is white, but the
pentahydrate, which is blue.