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Chemistry Forums for Students => Undergraduate General Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: dja01 on September 07, 2019, 07:12:18 PM

Title: Lab Clarification
Post by: dja01 on September 07, 2019, 07:12:18 PM
Just completed the first lab of the year, identifying an unknown liquid using physical properties. The liquid was ethanol, and one test that had to be conducted was solubility in water and cyclohexane. I performed the tests, and concluded that ethanol is soluble in water, and semi soluble in cyclohexane. However, on the lab report sheet, it asks for the "refractive index change as first drop was added." (the first drop being the drop of ethanol into either the water or cyclohexane).

During the actual lab time, we were not informed that we had to find the answer to this question. I'm not even entirely sure what the answer to the question would be. Can someone clarify? I'm assuming since the ethanol was entirely soluble in water, that the refractive index didn't change, and since it was semi soluble in cyclohexane, that it did change. Still, how do I answer this question?
Thank you in advance!