Lesson Plan

Lesson: The Partition Law

Aim :

To study the partition law and its application.

Learning Outcomes :

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to :

1. explain the partition law.

2. define the term partition coefficient.

3. state the conditions under which the partition law applies.

4. explain how solvent extraction is carried out in the extraction of an organic compound
from ether and water.

5. list the advantages of ether as an extraction solvent.

Assumed prior knowledge :

Students should already be familiar with the following concepts :

1. state of dynamic equilibrium

2. the separation of mixtures by distillation.

Underlying Principles

1. Making the invisible, visible.

2. Enabling students to know what to look for.

Time taken to complete the activities : 80 minutes

Differentiation

Questions in the student notes are designed to enable all students to complete the activity.
The pop-up answers are provided for the students to view when they have considered their
responses. Worksheet questions include questions that require recall, understanding and
application of the new concepts learned.

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 1 of 4

Development of Lesson :

No. Steps Strategy Resources

1 Set Induction. • Teacher to quiz students to ensure that
(Ascertaining prior they have the necessary background
knowledge and knowledge.
introducing lesson
topic for the day). • Teacher to point out lesson objectives for
the day.

2 Student Activity Teacher to go through Activities 1 – 2 with • Courseware

the students.

Activity 1 : The Partition law

Students are shown how the solute

particles are distributed between two
immiscible liquids in such a way that at
equilibrium, the ratio of its concentration
in the two solvents is a constant, at a
fixed temperature.

Activity 2 : Solvent extraction

Students are shown how an organic

compound is extracted from an aqueous
solution using ether as the extraction
solvent. They are also led to discover the
properties that a good extraction solvent
must have.

3 Evaluation • Students to answer questions in the • Worksheet

student worksheet on their own.

4 Extension activity • Students to go through the extension • Websites

activities on their own. • Reference
books.

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 of 4

Worksheet answers

1. The Partition law

1.1 a. The Partition law states that a solute, X will distribute itself between two
immiscible solvents in such a way that at equilibrium, the ratio of its
concentration in the two solvents is a constant, at a fixed temperature.

b. The value of the partition coefficient will change when the temperature is
changed.

6.00

1.2 The partition coefficient, K =

[P] ether =
50.0
= 15.0
[P] water 2.00
250

1.3
[I 2 ] CCl 4 = 85.0
[I 2 ] water
Let the mass of iodine in water be x g.

100 − x
30.0
= 85.0
x
50.0

10.0 - x = 51.0 x

x = 0.192 g

1.20 x 10 −2

1.4 a.
[I 2 ] Q =
50
=4
[I 2 ] water 6.00 x 10 −3
100

b. Let the concentration of iodine in Q at equilibrium be x mol dm-3

x
50
=4
6.00 x 10 −3
100

x = 4.00 x 10-3

© 2003 Ministry of Education Malaysia. All Rights Reserved. Page 3 of 4

1.5 a. Ether layer

M1V1 = M2V2

M1 x 25.0 = 1.00 x 20.00

1.00 x 20.00
M1 = = 0.800 mol dm-3
25.0

Aqueous layer

M1 x 25.0 = 0.100 x 10.00

M1 = 0.040 mol dm-3

0.800
b. Partition coefficient = = 20.0
0.040

2. Solvent extraction

2.1 a. It can dissolve organic compounds well (it has a large partition coefficient).
It does not react with most organic compounds.

b. Sodium butanedioate is an ionic compound which dissolves in water but not

in ether.

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