Answer to Question #257527 in Organic Chemistry for Mike

Question

Based on the colours produced in your purity test, explain the test and what is your conclusion about the relative purity of recrystallized aspirin sample supplied and commercially available aspirin?   

Answer 1

The physical properties of a substance can be used to establish its purity. These properties include the melting point and boiling point. Different substances tend to have different melting and boiling points, and any pure substance will have a specific melting and boiling point. However, the presence of impurities will cause a lower melting point as well as a change in boiling point.