Problem 22 - Anatomy and Physiology of Animals

Question

Jenny mixes up a batch of pancake batter, then stirs in some chocolate chips. As she is waiting for the first few pancakes to cook, she notices the chocolate chips sinking to the bottom of the clear glass mixing bowl. The chocolatechip batter is an example of a __________. a. solvent b. solute C. Solution d. suspension

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

d. suspension

Step 1: Define Key Terms

First, let's understand the options given: - A solvent is a substance that dissolves another substance (solute) to form a solution. - A solute is a substance that is dissolved in a solvent. - A solution is a mixture where the solute is completely dissolved in the solvent. - A suspension is a mixture where particles are dispersed throughout but can settle over time.

Step 2: Analyze the Problem

Jenny observes that the chocolate chips are sinking to the bottom of the mixing bowl. This indicates that the chocolate chips are not dissolving in the batter; instead, they are settling down.

Step 3: Identify the Correct Classification

Since the chocolate chips are not dissolving but rather settling to the bottom, the mixture shows characteristics of a suspension. In a suspension, particles are not dissolved and can settle over time.

Step 4: Conclusion

Therefore, the chocolate chip batter is best classified as a suspension, as the chocolate chips are suspended within the batter and are not dissolved.

Key Concepts

Solvent

In the world of mixtures, the solvent plays a crucial role. It is the component in the mixture that dissolves the other one, which is named the solute. Imagine a cup of tea - the water is the solvent. It has the power to dissolve substances, such as sugar, making them disappear into the mix. When a solvent dissolves a solute, they form something called a solution. Generally, the solvent is present in a larger amount compared to the solute. The classic role of a solvent is to provide a medium where particles are so interspersed they can't be distinguished easily. This concept is key for understanding other mixture types, like solutions and suspensions. In Jenny's pancake batter case, if the chocolate chips dissolved, we would consider the batter itself as the solvent.

Solute

The solute is what gets dissolved in a solvent to make a true solution. Think of the sugar in your tea once again; that's the solute. It blends into the solvent until it becomes invisible to the naked eye. This creates a uniform mixture where components don't separate over time. In the context of the pancake batter, if the chocolate chips were dissolving, they would act as a solute. They would distribute evenly throughout the batter. The interesting part about solutes is they enable different characteristics depending on their interaction with the solvent. Some dissolve completely, while others may need more effort or simply don't dissolve, like our chocolate chips in batter.

Solution

A solution is a uniform mixture where the solute is dissolved in the solvent. It's clear and stable, with no particles settling over time. Look at a glass of lemonade; the lemon juice and sugar are solutes that dissolve into water, forming a refreshing drink that's consistent throughout. Solutions are important because they allow for easy distribution of substances without them separating. However, they require the solute to dissolve well, which doesn't happen with everything. In Jenny's story, the batter wasn't a solution because the chocolate chips didn't dissolve and mixed uniformly, leading to a visible sink at the bottom.

Mixture Classification

Mixtures are classified into different types based on how their components interact. The main categories are solutions, suspensions, and colloids. Each type has its own unique properties.

• Solutions have solutes completely dissolved in solvents, leading to uniform consistency.
• Suspensions contain larger particles that are not dissolved and tend to settle over time, like our chocolate chip scenario in the batter.
• Colloids are a middle ground, featuring mixtures where particles are larger than in solutions but don't easily settle.

Understanding these classifications helps in identifying mixtures in daily life. Suspensions, for example, need to be stirred to keep uniformity, while solutions stay stable. In Jenny's exercise, recognizing the batter as a suspension is crucial as it explains why the chocolate chips settled instead of dissolving.