Which characteristic of a solid substance can be used to check to purity?
Answers
Answer: Whether in manufacturing, cooking or cleaning, substances are most efficient when they're pure. Purity can be defined as the absence of any impurities -- or types of matter other than the substance itself. You can use numerous tests to check for purity, ranging from simple visual comparison to sophisticated laboratory techniques.
Physical Comparison With a Pure Standard
One of the simplest ways to check the purity of any substance is to compare the substance with a certified pure sample. Even physical comparisons can reveal a lot about the purity of a sample. Visual comparison can reveal the presence of any large impurities, such as dirt or other differently colored impurities. If the substance is nontoxic, a smell test can be used to compare it with the pure sample. Any dissimilar odors indicate the presence of at least one impurity. If the substance is edible, a taste test can be conducted. A difference between the taste of the substance and the taste of the pure sample hints at the presence of impurities.