Consider this apparatus. When a small amount of water is introduced into the flask by squeezing the bulb of the medicine dropper, water is squirted upward out of the long glass tubing. Explain this observation. (Hint: Hydrogen chloride gas is soluble in water.)

Short Answer

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When water is squeezed into the flask containing Hydrogen Chloride gas, the gas dissolves in the water reducing the number of gas molecules and therefore the pressure inside the flask. The lower pressure inside as compared to outside causes the water to squirt out of the tube.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding of Hydrogen Chloride Solubility

Hydrogen chloride (HCl) is a gas that is highly soluble in water. When it comes into contact with water, it dissolves rapidly. This principle is outlined in Henry's Law, which states that at a constant temperature, the amount of a given gas that dissolves in a given type and volume of liquid is directly proportional to the pressure of that gas above the liquid.
02

Identifying the Pressure Change

When water is introduced into the flask, Hydrogen Chloride gets dissolved, reducing the amount of gaseous molecules in the flask. This decrease in the number of gas molecules causes a decrease in the pressure inside the flask, in accordance with Boyle's law which states that the pressure of a given amount of gas is inversely proportional to its volume, assuming the temperature remains constant.
03

Explaining the Water Squirt

The decreased pressure inside the flask creates a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the flask, with the pressure inside being lower than the pressure outside. This pressure difference causes the water to be forced upwards and squirt out from the long glass tubing. This principle is guided by Pascal's law that says a change in pressure at any point in a fluid is transmitted to all points in the fluid.

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