Question

When a 50 mL sample of C2H5OH is mixed with a 50 mL sample of H2O, the resulting mixture has a volume of 95 mL, and the container is warm to the touch. Which of the following best describes these observations?

A chemical reaction occurs, as evidenced by the volume of the resultant mixture being less than the total volume of the initial components

A chemical change occurs, as evidenced by the formation of new covalent bonds releasing more energy than is absorbed by the breaking of the existing covalent bonds

A physical change occurs, and the solvation process is exothermic

A physical change occurs, and the solvation process is endothermic.

Answer 1

The statement that best describes these observations is : ( C )

• A physical change occurs and the solvation process is exothermic

Solvation process

The mixture of a sample of C₂H₅OH and water is a solvation process ( interaction between solute and solvent ) which is a physical change and the level of solvation depends on the solvent ( water ) polarity.

The container been warm after the mixture sows that some heat is expensed into the surrounding ( exothermic reaction ). therefore we can conclude that a physical change has occurred and the solvation process is exothermic.

Hence we can conclude that the statement that best  describes these observations is : A physical change occurs and the solvation process is exothermic.

Learn more about solvation : https://brainly.com/question/1118783