Question

A student takes four test tubes marked P, Q, R and S of 25 mL capacity and fills 10 mL of distilled water in each. He dissolves one spoon full of four different salts in each as − KCl in P, NaCl in Q, CaCl₂ in R and MgCl₂ in S. He then adds about 2 mL of a sample of soap solution to each of the above test tubes. On shaking the contents of each of the test tubes, he is likely to observe a good amount of lather (foam) in the test tubes marked

(a) P and Q

(b) R and S

(c) P, Q and R

(d) P, Q and S

Answer 1

Scum is formed by the reaction of soap with calcium and magnesium salts in water. Test tubes R and S contain calcium chloride and magnesium chloride, respectively. Therefore, scum will be formed in these two tubes.

Test tubes P and Q contain potassium chloride and sodium chloride, respectively. Thus, a good amount of lather is likely to be formed in them.

Hence, the correct answer is option (a).