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UPSC Civil Services (Mains)

Chemistry optional

  • 2 papers
  • 250 marks each
  • 3 h per paper
  • 5 of 8 questions, Q1 and Q5 compulsory

Paper I covers physical and inorganic chemistry.

UPSC Civil Services (Mains), Chemistry optional · 2021 · Paper I

Q4(c). Phenol–water system and the importance of tie lines

Question

Explain the phase diagram of phenol-water system by highlighting the importance of tie lines.

Answer in brief

Phenol and water are partially miscible: two liquid layers inside the dome-shaped solubility curve, one liquid outside it, and an upper critical solution temperature of about 66 °C; a tie line links the two conjugate layers and the lever rule gives their amounts.

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The full model answer

As written for the answer booklet: the diagram carries the working, the lines stay short. Read here only; it is not offered as a download.

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Coversphenol–water systemcritical solution temperaturetie linelever ruleconjugate solutionspartially miscible liquids