A manufacturer supplies a concentrated aqueous disinfectant at 12.0 M
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Properties of Substances and Mixtures · Properties of Substances and Mixtures
Problem
A manufacturer supplies a concentrated aqueous disinfectant at 12.0 M. Safety guidelines require that the disinfectant be used at concentrations between 0.200 M and 0.250 M in routine surface cleaning applications. A facility manager dilutes the concentrate by adding it to a 5.00 L bucket partially filled with water and then bringing the total volume in the bucket to exactly 5.00 L.
(1) Calculate the minimum and maximum volumes, in milliliters, of the 12.0 M concentrate that could be added to the bucket to produce a final concentration within the recommended 0.200 M – 0.250 M range.
(2) If the manager mistakenly adds 120 mL of the 12.0 M concentrate and then fills the bucket to the 5.00 L mark, determine the concentration actually achieved. State whether this concentration meets the guideline range.
(3) Propose a corrective action the manager could take to bring the concentration to 0.225 M without discarding the solution. Show quantitatively how your adjustment achieves the target concentration.
(4) Explain why consistently preparing disinfectant solutions within the recommended concentration range is important, citing at least one chemical reason and one practical or safety reason.