AP Chemistry : Safety

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Chemistry

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #221 : Ap Chemistry

Your lab partner is asking you how to properly label a solution of HCl. Which label did you show him?

Possible Answers:

1M Hydrochloric Acid

100mL of hydrochloric acid

Concentrated HCl

1M of acid

HCl

Correct answer:

1M Hydrochloric Acid

Explanation:

When you label chemical solutions, you should technically always use the full chemical name (though this is not always done). Using common abbreviations, like HCl for hydrochloric acid, is generally acceptable. 

The reason why none of the other answers work is because they did not quantify how strong (concentrated) the HCl solution was. A 1 molar HCl solution is handled much differently than a 12 molar one. Even though the answer choice "1M of acid" did quantify the concentration, it did not say which acid was in solution, which would be very unsafe if someone else saw your beaker and needed to know how to dispose of the contents.

Labels should always provide information on the contents of the container, as well as its concentration strength.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors