BP of ionic compounds

[G1SG2]

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This is a TPR question:

During the reaction between HI and LiOH, a white vapor was generated over the solution. This vapor was most likely:

A. CO2
B. vaporized LiI
C. steam
D. hydrogen gas

I know A and D are out of the picture. I picked B, but the correct answer is C. The explanation says: The boiling point of LiI, just like all other ionic compounds, is in excess of 1000 degrees Celsius (choice B is improbable).

That information was not in the passage, btw. Are we supposed to know that bit of information (BP of ionic compounds) for the MCAT??

 

[kobe200LATE]

Yea you should know that ionic compounds like LiI have very high boiling points. So unless they specify that a very very large amount of heat is added to the system, you should assume that vaporized LiI isn't present. C would be the best answer

 

[G1SG2]

Yea you should know that ionic compounds like LiI have very high boiling points. So unless they specify that a very very large amount of heat is added to the system, you should assume that vaporized LiI isn't present. C would be the best answer

Got it, thanks 🙂

 

[kobe200LATE]

oops sorry for the double post

 

[loveoforganic]

That question should be moderately intuitive. It's an acid/base neutralization reaction (group one hydroxide and a hydrogen halide). Your product is salt water. If you boil salt water on your stove, is that white cloud you see rising from the pot going to leave salt deposits all over your ceiling?

 

[G1SG2]

That question should be moderately intuitive. It's an acid/base neutralization reaction (group one hydroxide and a hydrogen halide). Your product is salt water. If you boil salt water on your stove, is that white cloud you see rising from the pot going to leave salt deposits all over your ceiling?

lol, thanks, I'll never make that mistake again. Nice way to explain it 👍