Answer to Question #181291 in General Chemistry for Joshua

Question

1) What is the difference between 40% alcohol and 70% alcohol?

2) Which is more effective 40% or 70%? Why?

Answer 1

1.40% means that for every 100 mL, the product contains 40 mL alcohol. Hence , for a 70% label, every 100 mL of the product you buy has 70 mL alcohol.

2.70% is better since isopropyl alcohol, particularly in solutions between 60% and 90% alcohol with 10 – 40% purified water, is rapidly antimicrobial against bacteria, fungi, and viruses.70% IPA solutions penetrate the cell wall more completely which permeates the entire cell, coagulates all proteins, and therefore the microorganism dies.