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Grade 12Physical Chemistry

A solution that is valued at 117g sodium chloride and 900 grams of water is different.

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8 Years agoGrade 12
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1 Answer

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ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer11 Months ago

When we talk about a solution containing sodium chloride (NaCl) and water, we're discussing a mixture where the salt is dissolved in the water. The values you've provided—117 grams of sodium chloride and 900 grams of water—allow us to analyze the properties of this solution, particularly its concentration and how it behaves in various contexts.

Understanding Concentration

The concentration of a solution is a measure of how much solute (in this case, sodium chloride) is present in a given amount of solvent (water). To find the concentration, we can use the formula:

  • Concentration (g/L) = (mass of solute in grams) / (volume of solution in liters)

However, since we have the mass of the solvent (water) and the solute (sodium chloride), we can also express the concentration in terms of mass percent or molarity if we know the density of the solution.

Calculating Mass Percent

Mass percent is calculated using the formula:

  • Mass percent = (mass of solute / (mass of solute + mass of solvent)) × 100

In your case:

  • Mass of solute (NaCl) = 117 g
  • Mass of solvent (water) = 900 g

Now, let's calculate the total mass of the solution:

  • Total mass = 117 g + 900 g = 1017 g

Now, we can find the mass percent of sodium chloride:

  • Mass percent of NaCl = (117 g / 1017 g) × 100 ≈ 11.5%

Exploring the Properties of the Solution

A solution with approximately 11.5% sodium chloride is considered a saline solution. This concentration has various applications, such as in medical settings for intravenous fluids, where it helps maintain osmotic balance in the body.

Comparing with Other Solutions

To put this into perspective, a typical saline solution used in medical contexts is often around 0.9% NaCl, which is isotonic with human blood. Your solution, at 11.5%, is hypertonic, meaning it has a higher concentration of solute compared to the cells in the body. This can lead to osmotic effects, where water moves out of cells, potentially causing them to shrink.

Practical Applications and Considerations

Understanding the concentration of sodium chloride in a solution is crucial for various applications:

  • Medical Uses: Hypertonic solutions can be used to treat specific medical conditions, such as hyponatremia (low sodium levels).
  • Culinary Uses: Higher concentrations of salt are often used in brining meats or preserving food.
  • Industrial Uses: Sodium chloride solutions are used in various chemical processes and manufacturing.

In summary, the solution you described is a saline solution with a significant concentration of sodium chloride, which has important implications in both biological and industrial contexts. Understanding these properties helps us appreciate the role of solutes in solutions and their effects on various systems.