Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 12: Problem 109

Swimming coaches sometimes suggest that a drop of alcohol (ethanol) placed in an ear plugged with water "draws out the water." Explain this action from a molecular point of yiew

Short Answer

Expert verified
Ethanol creates an area with a lower concentration of water, causing an osmotic gradient. As a result, the water in the ear moves towards and mixes with the ethanol, making it seem like the ethanol is 'drawing out' the water.

Step by step solution

01

Knowing the Variables

Identify the variables in the given situation. Here, there are two mediums involved: water, which is in the ear, and alcohol (ethanol), which is used to draw out the water.
02

Understanding the Mechanism of Osmosis

Osmosis is the process where a solvent (in this case, water) moves from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration across a selectively permeable membrane. This will be the key mechanism through which ethanol draws water out.
03

Role of Ethanol

Ethanol is a less polar molecule than water, so it is less able to dissolve salts (which are present in the water in our bodies). Therefore, when a drop of ethanol is placed in an ear filled with water, it creates an area of lower concentration of water (because the ethanol doesn't carry the body's salts), creating an osmotic gradient.
04

Final Explanation

Since water moves towards areas of higher solute concentration to attempt to equalize the concentration, the water in the ear will move towards and mix with the ethanol. As a result, it seems like the ethanol 'draws out' the water from the ear.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The vapor pressure of a liquid in a closed container depends on which of these: (a) the volume above the liquid, (b) the amount of liquid present, (c) temperature?

Describe the geometries of these cubic cells: simple cubic cell, body-centered cubic cell, face-centered cubic cell. Which of these cells would give the highest density for the same type of atoms?

Crystalline silicon has a cubic structure. The unit cell edge length is \(543 \mathrm{pm}\). The density of the solid is \(2.33 \mathrm{~g} / \mathrm{cm}^{3}\). Calculate the number of \(\mathrm{Si}\) atoms in one unit cell.

A student hangs wet clothes outdoors on a winter day when the temperature is \(-15^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). After a few hours, the clothes are found to be fairly dry. Describe the phase changes in this drying process.

Arrange the following compounds in order of increasing boiling point: \(\mathrm{RbF}, \mathrm{CO}_{2}, \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OH}, \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{Br}\). Explain your arrangement.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

The Earths Atmosphere

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Physical Chemistry

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free