What is the meaning of the fact that once you stirred Substance 1, Substance 2, and the KCl control, they turned from cloudy to clear?
The correct answer and explanation is :
The change from cloudy to clear after stirring Substance 1, Substance 2, and the KCl control suggests that a chemical reaction occurred, leading to the dissolution or the removal of particles or precipitates that caused the initial cloudiness.
Explanation:
Cloudiness in a solution typically indicates the presence of suspended particles, often in the form of a precipitate, which can scatter light. The transformation from cloudy to clear after stirring implies that these particles were either dissolved into the solution or separated in a way that no longer caused turbidity. This can happen in a few scenarios:
- Dissolution of Precipitate:
If a precipitate had formed due to a chemical reaction between the substances, the stirring could have helped dissolve the precipitate back into the solution. For instance, if the substances were ionic compounds or salts, they may have formed a precipitate under certain conditions (e.g., due to a change in temperature, pH, or ionic strength). Stirring could have dissolved the precipitate by increasing the interaction between the solution and the dissolving ions, resulting in a clear solution. - Formation of a New Complex:
The reaction between Substance 1, Substance 2, and KCl could have led to the formation of a complex or new species that was more soluble than the original components. This could cause the initially cloudy solution to clear as the reaction products dissolved in the solution, leaving no visible particles behind. - KCl Control Influence:
Potassium chloride (KCl) might have acted as a control, providing an ionic environment or influencing the solubility of the other substances. The stirring could have facilitated the formation of ions or complexes that prevented the formation of precipitates, helping the system reach a clear, homogeneous state.
Thus, the observation that the mixture turned from cloudy to clear after stirring indicates that a dynamic process involving solubility, complexation, or dissolution occurred, which led to the removal of particulate matter from the solution.
