A beverage manufacturer considers pre-heating an isotonic sports drink before sending…
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Properties of Substances and Mixtures · Properties of Substances and Mixtures
Problem
A beverage manufacturer considers pre-heating an isotonic sports drink before sending it through a standard cellulose filter in order to reduce mineral (electrolyte) content. The drink contains fully dissolved Na+, K+, and Cl− ions and no visible particulates.
(a) Describe how increasing temperature affects (i) the average kinetic energy of water molecules and ions and (ii) the solubility of most ionic compounds in water.
(b) Assuming the filter pore size remains unchanged with temperature, evaluate the manufacturer’s claim that pre-heating will allow the filter to trap a significant fraction of the dissolved ions. Construct your evaluation using particulate-level reasoning and any relevant quantitative relationships.
(c) Suggest a more effective thermal or non-thermal strategy for reducing the electrolyte concentration without altering flavor compounds, and explain why it would be superior to simple filtration, whether performed hot or cold.