6.2. Experimental Considerations

Try these first

1. 1.

   Define mass concentration.

   Hint

   Think about how density is calculated.

2. 2.

   What does a partition constant indicate?

   Hint

   Consider how chemicals behave in different environments.

3. 3.

   What does mass concentration represent?

   • The amount of a substance in air
   • The amount of a substance in water
   • Mass per volume

   Hint

   Consider the units of mass and volume.

4. 4.

   True or False: A partition constant indicates the concentration of a chemical at equilibrium.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Remember the definition of equilibrium.

5. 5.

   A pollutant with a partition constant of 10 between air and water is found in groundwater. If the concentration in air is 100 μg/m³, what is the equilibrium concentration in water?

   Hint

   Use the definition of partition constant.

6. 6.

   You collect soil samples from two different areas: sandy soil and clayey soil. Explain how you would determine which area is more likely to lead to groundwater contamination from chemical leaching.

   Hint

   Think about the properties of the soil types and their effects on chemical movement!