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A mixture of sand and naphthalene can be separated by
  • a)
    sublimation
  • b)
    distillation
  • c)
    chromatography
  • d)
    fractional distillation
  • e)
    None of the above / More than one of the above
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Most Upvoted Answer
A mixture of sand and naphthalene can be separated bya)sublimationb)di...
  • Naphthalene is a colourless crystalline solid with a strong mothball odour.
  • It is also called white tar & tar camphor.
  • Melting point: 80.1 C.
  • Boiling point: 218.C.
  • Molecular Weight: 128.17 g/mol.
  • Molecular formula: C10H8.
  • Chemical structure: 
  • It is obtained from either coal tar or petroleum distillation.
  • It is a white, volatile, solid polycyclic hydrocarbon.
  • It is almost insoluble in water.
    • The solid is denser than water and thus insoluble in water.
  • It is highly volatile.
  • Uses:
    • It is used in the dyes industry.
    • It is used as a moth repellent.
    • It is used as wood preservatives.
    • It used as fumigant, lubricants, and to make other chemicals.
    • It is used in the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride ( PVC) plastics.
    • It is used in synthetic tanning, preservative, textile chemicals, emulsion breakers.
    • It is used around garden and building peripheries to repel animals such as snakes and rabbits.
  • Fuels such as petroleum and coal contain naphthalene. 
  • It is the most abundant single constituent of coal tar.
  • It is commercially produced by crystallization from the intermediate fraction of condensed coal tar and from the heavier fraction of cracked petroleum.
  • Negative effects:
    • Excess exposure to naphthalene can cause the following issues:
      • Hemolytic anaemia.
      • Damage to the liver.
      • Neurological system.
      • Cataracts.
    • It is generally accepted to be a human carcinogen.
    • It may increase the risk of developing laryngeal (larynx) and colorectal (colon) cancer.
    • It is a white solid that evaporates easily because of sublimation.
  • Sublimation:
    • It is the process of transition of a substance from the solid-state to the gaseous state without passing through the liquid state.
    • The substance showing this phenomenon is called sublimate.
    • E.g: Camphor, Naphthalene, Dry ice (solid CO2) etc.
  • When naphthalene is heated, it sublimes easily because it is made up of non-polar molecules that are held together only by weak Van der Waal intermolecular forces of attraction.
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Community Answer
A mixture of sand and naphthalene can be separated bya)sublimationb)di...
Separation of Sand and Naphthalene
To separate a mixture of sand and naphthalene, sublimation is the most effective method. Here’s a detailed explanation.
What is Sublimation?
- Sublimation is the process where a solid turns directly into a gas without passing through a liquid state.
- Naphthalene, being a solid at room temperature, sublimates readily when heated.
Properties of Naphthalene
- Naphthalene has a relatively low melting point (about 80 °C) and sublimates at room temperature, especially when exposed to heat.
- In contrast, sand is an inorganic solid that does not sublimate and remains as a solid throughout the process.
Separation Process
- When the mixture of sand and naphthalene is gently heated, naphthalene will sublime into vapor.
- The vapor can then be collected and cooled, allowing it to condense back into solid naphthalene.
- The remaining sand will be left behind as it does not undergo sublimation.
Why Not Other Methods?
- Distillation: This method is used for separating liquids based on boiling points, which is not applicable here.
- Chromatography: This is primarily for separating mixtures in solution, not solid mixtures.
- Fractional Distillation: Similar to distillation, it’s not suitable for solid-solid separation.
- None of the Above: Since sublimation is effective, this option is incorrect.
Conclusion
- The best method to separate a mixture of sand and naphthalene is by sublimation, making option 'A' the correct answer.
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A mixture of sand and naphthalene can be separated bya)sublimationb)distillationc)chromatographyd)fractional distillatione)None of the above / More than one of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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