NYC Chemistry Regents Exam January 2023
Which property can be used to differentiate between a 50.-gram sample of solid potassium nitrate at STP and a 50.-gram sample of solid silver chloride at STP?
(1) mass
(2) temperature
(3) phase
(4) solubility
Solution: The property that can differentiate the two substances has to be unique to the substance. Mass, temperature and phase can all be changed for the substance. For example, we can take 30 g of potassium nitrate or 20 grams. Solubility, on the other hand is unique to the substance. According to the solubility table, potassium nitrate is soluble in water while silver chloride is not. Choice 4 is the correct answer.