Demonstration of Solubility of "Immiscible" Fluids Looking for a simple demonstration for the solubility of "immiscible" fluids in one another? Or perhaps a way to demonstrate the plausibility of hydrocarbon pollution in water resulting from oil spills or vehicular exhaust? Try the following. Vigorously shake about 500 ml of cold water with 20 ml of hexane, any grade will do, in a 500-ml narrowneck Erlenmeyer flask. Decant any left-ouer hexone and whatever amount of water is necessary to remoue all visible traces of the hezone. For safety purposes the liquid should come, at least, to the hose of the neck of the flask. Heat the Erlenmeyer with a Bunsen burner. Occasionally bring the flame t o the mouth of the flask, noting when ignition of the hexane vapor begins. Continued beating will allow you to sustain the flame for a t least five minutes. Flame size may be controlled by the rate of heating. Normal precautions taken when handling flammable solvents should be observed.
North Dakota State University Fargo, 58102
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Journal ot Chemical Education
