Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 11: Problem 2

Explain how solid naphthalene in mothballs is distributed evenly through clothes in a drawer.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The mothballs made from naphthalene in the drawer undergo sublimation, changing from a solid to a gas. These gaseous molecules distribute uniformly in the confined space of the drawers, permeating the air and the fabric of the clothes, thus evenly distributing the naphthalene.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the nature of naphthalene

Naphthalene is a substance, commonly found in mothballs, that can undergo sublimation, a process where it can change from a solid to a gas without passing through the liquid state. The mothballs gradually disappear as they turn into gas.
02

Understand the distribution process

When the drawer is closed, the mothball's gaseous molecules disperse throughout the drawer. This process is driven by the principle that gases tend to occupy all available space and distribute uniformly in a contained environment.
03

Interaction with clothes

The naphthalene gas molecules permeate the air and penetrate into the fabric of the clothes in the drawer, providing them with the characteristic mothball smell. This also aids in moth prevention, the primary purpose of mothballs.

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

Compare dipole-dipole forces and hydrogen bonds.

Is it possible to have only liquid water present in a container at \(0.00^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) ? Explain.

Compare the arrangement and movement of particles in the solid, liquid, and gas states of matter.

\(\Delta H\) for a process is positive, and \(\Delta S\) is negative. What can you conclude about the process?

Which would have the higher boiling point: chloroform, \(\mathrm{CHCl}_{3},\) or bromoform, \(\mathrm{CHBr}_{3}\) ?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Inorganic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation

Making Measurements

Read Explanation

Nuclear 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