If the mixture of NaCl, NH4Cl, and SiO2 (sand) was first extracted with water and then both the extract and insoluble residue were heated to dryness, could you determine the amounts of NaCl, NH4Cl, and SiO2 (sand) originally present? Why or Why not?
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No, it would not be possible to determine the amounts of NaCl, NH4Cl, and SiO2 originally present through this process alone. Extracting the mixture with water will dissolve the water-soluble components, such as NaCl and NH4Cl, leaving behind the insoluble residue of SiO2 (sand). However, heating the extract and insoluble residue to dryness will only remove the water and leave behind the salts, but it would not provide any information on their specific quantities.
To determine the amounts of NaCl, NH4Cl, and SiO2 present, further analysis techniques such as titration, gravimetric analysis, or elemental analysis would be required. These methods would provide quantifiable results to determine the amounts of each component.