What was the purpose of draping the filter paper over the ceramic dish and heating it?
The correct answer and explanation is:
The purpose of draping the filter paper over the ceramic dish and heating it is to facilitate the process of drying the filter paper after it has been used to filter a substance, typically in a laboratory setting. The heating process helps to remove any moisture or liquid that might be absorbed in the paper during the filtration process.
When filter paper is used for filtration, it can trap water, solvents, or other liquids depending on the substance being filtered. The drying process ensures that the filter paper becomes dry and free from any residual liquids. This is important because the presence of liquid can interfere with subsequent procedures, such as weighing or further chemical reactions. For example, if the filter paper is being used to isolate a solid from a mixture, the presence of moisture would affect the weight of the solid, leading to inaccurate results.
The ceramic dish is often used in conjunction with heating because it provides a stable surface that can withstand the heat without breaking or cracking. The ceramic material also distributes heat evenly, ensuring that the drying process is uniform. By draping the filter paper over the dish, the paper is kept flat, allowing heat to be applied evenly across the surface, which speeds up the drying process.
Additionally, the heating of the filter paper ensures that any volatile substances or solvents trapped within the paper evaporate. This is particularly important in processes like recrystallization, where the aim is to obtain pure crystalline solids from a solvent. In such cases, drying the filter paper helps ensure that only the desired substance is present in the final product, free from contamination or excess solvent.
In summary, the draping and heating process serves to dry the filter paper, remove any residual liquid, and ensure accurate results in subsequent experimental steps.