JAMB Chemistry 1985 Question 5

Question 5

Separation of Mixtures

In an experiment, which of the following observations would suggest that a solid sample is a mixture? The

  1. A.solid can be ground to a fine powder
  2. B.density of the solid is 2.25 g dm−3
  3. C.solid begins to melt at 573 K but is not completely melted until 648 K
  4. D.solid absorbs moisture from the atmosphere and turns into a liquid
  5. E.solid melts at 300 K.
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C (solid begins to melt at 573 K but is not completely melted until 648 K)

Explanation

A pure solid melts sharply at one temperature. A sample that melts over a wide range of temperatures (573 K to 648 K) must contain more than one substance.