The Distribution Law and Why Extraction in Portions Works Better
Physical Chemistry · Equilibria The Distribution Law and Why Extraction in Portions Works Better A short derivation that settles a practical question — is one large extraction better than several small ones, and by how much. BSc & MSc · Physical Chemistry · Concept The short answer: A solute distributes between two immiscible solvents in a fixed ratio at constant temperature. Working through the arithmetic shows that several small extractions remove far more solute than one extraction with the same total volume — which is why laboratory procedure always specifies portions. The law When a solute is shaken with two…