A ethanol solution is mixed with another ethanol solution, say, of unknown concentration in the proportion by volume. This mixture is then mixed with an equal volume of ethanol solution. If the resultant mixture is a ethanol solution, then the unknown concentration of is
A ethanol solution is mixed with another ethanol solution, say, of unknown concentration in the proportion by volume. This mixture is then mixed with an equal volume of ethanol solution. If the resultant mixture is a ethanol solution, then the unknown concentration of is
Solution
Since the solutions are mixed in a 1:3 ratio by volume, let's use convenient numbers:
20% ethanol solution: 100 liters
Unknown solution S: 300 liters
We use 100 and 300 to make calculations simple while maintaining the 1:3 ratio.
In the 20% solution:
Ethanol content = 20% of 100 liters = 20 liters
In solution S:
Let the concentration of S be x%
Ethanol content = x% of 300 liters = 3x liters
After mixing these two:
Total volume = 100 + 300 = 400 liters
Total ethanol = 20 + 3x liters
The mixture is then mixed with an equal volume of 20% ethanol solution.
Equal volume means: 400 liters of 20% solution is added
Ethanol in this 20% solution = 20% of 400 = 80 liters
Final mixture totals:
Total volume = 400 + 400 = 800 liters
Total ethanol = (20 + 3x) + 80 = (100 + 3x) liters
The final mixture is 31.25% ethanol.
Using the percentage formula:
The unknown concentration of solution S is 50%.