An environmental chemist is evaluating the fate of four organic substances released…
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Properties of Substances and Mixtures · Properties of Substances and Mixtures
Problem
An environmental chemist is evaluating the fate of four organic substances released into a freshwater lake at pH 7 and 25 °C:
(a) Rank the substances from highest to lowest equilibrium concentration of dissolved species in the lake water.
(b) Provide a comprehensive explanation for your ranking that addresses polarity, ionization state, hydrophobic interactions, and any amphiphilic behavior relevant to dissolution.
(c) Predict qualitatively how lowering the lake water pH to 3 would alter the solubility of stearic acid and sodium stearate, and justify your prediction based on speciation and intermolecular forces.