Background

The general ruls of solubility is that ”like dissolves like”. This means that polar solvents like water will dissolve more polar compounds such as ionic compounds like salts (e.g. sodium chloride). Less polar solvents such as organic solvents (e.g. propanone) will dissolve non-polar compounds such as plastics.

Nail polish contains non-polar compounds. Nail polish remover is made from propanone, a non-polar solvent which will dissolve nail polish, but not the polar ionic compound sodium chloride.

Method

1. Collect two watch glasses. 2. Brush some nail polish into the middle of the two watch glasses and let it dry. 3. Collect one beaker with water and fill a second beaker with propanone or nail polish remover. 4. Drop ¼ spatula of salt into the beaker containing water and stir. Observe what happens. 5. Drop ¼ spatula of salt into the beaker containing propanone and stir. Observe what happens. 6. Drop water onto one watch glass with nail polish and watch what happens. 7. Then drop some propanone or nail polish remover onto the 2nd watch glass with nail polish and watch what happens.

Results Table

Create your own results table.

Analysis

1. Explain your results. 2. What are weaknesses of the experiment? 3. How could you improve the experiment?