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Wouldn't substances with different molecular weights tend to separate out from each other simply due to gravity while still in liquid form?
by zuminator 5y ago
Wouldn't substances with different molecular weights tend to separate out from each other simply due to gravity while still in liquid form?
- ramraj07 5y agoIn a solution or even a colloidal solution, no. That’s the basic definition of a solution anyways.
- Retric 5y agoSolutions act like that at lab scales but it’s not true at every scale. For example you get differences in ocean salinity with depth.
- pfdietz 5y agoNo. What separates out are immiscible phases of different density. A heavy element in a light phase will go up (example: uranium, which is enriched by a factor of 1000 in the Earth's crust). You can get density gradients in fluids under gravity, but it requires extreme conditions and no mixing (example: cesium chloride in an ultracentrifuge.)
- zuminator 5y agoInteresting, thanks!