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What is an optical isomer?

Optical isomers are a form of stereoisomers which are chemical species with the same structural formula, but have a different arrangement of atoms in 3-dimensional space. Optical isomers are characterised by...
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Answered by Thomas D. • Chemistry tutor
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Describe a test that could be used to distinguish between potassium sulfate (K2SO4) and potassium nitrate (KNO3)

Add a solution containing Barium ions (eg BaCl2, Ba(OH)2, etc)K2SO4 will form white precipitate KNO3 will have no visible change
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Answered by Isobel W. • Chemistry tutor
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An aldehyde CH3CH2CH2CHO reacts with potassium cyanide (KCN) to form a racemic mixture of two stereoisomers of CH3CH2CH2CH(OH)CN. A)Explain why a racemic mixture is formed and b)describe how you would distinguish between 2 samples of the stereoisomers

A) The aldehyde contains a planar carbon group which can be attacked from both sides. Each side has equal probability of being attacked resulting in a racemic compound containing equal amounts of each stereo...
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Answered by Isobel W. • Chemistry tutor
8604 Views

Describe how to perform a flame test to identify an unknown compound.

The equipment needed is a bunsen burner, a wire loop, some HCl, and the compound being tested (usually in powder form). Set up the bunsen burner so that it is on a blue flame. Take the wire loop and dip it i...
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Answered by Martha N. • Chemistry tutor
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Define the term enthalpy of reaction

A chemical reaction occurs when bonds are broken and formed between atoms. Energy is taken in in order to break bonds; when a bond is formed the molecule becomes more stable, so energy is given out. The enth...
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Answered by Harry K. • Chemistry tutor
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