In a pair of immiscible liquida, a common solute dissolves in both and the equilibrium is reached. Then, the concentration of the solute in upper layer is

Options

A. lower than the lower is
B. in fixed ratio with that in the lower layer
C. higher than the lower layer
D. same as the lower layer

Answer

2

Explanation

According to the Nernst distribution or partition law, if to a mixture of two immiscible liquids a substance (solute) which is soluble in both is added in varying amounts, then experiment shows that it distributes itself in such a way that the ratio of its concentration in the two layers is constant at constant temperature, i.e.
`("Conc. of solute in liquid A")/("Conc. of solute in liquid B")=" constant", k`
where the constant k is called the distribution or partition coefficient of that system at that temperature. The distribution law only holds true if the solute is in the same molecular condition in both the solvent. Thus, the ratio of the concentration yakes place to some extend in one solvent only and not in the other.