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Chemistry

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  • $\begingroup$ Does that mean we applied Le Chatelier's principle here in terms of concentration of water and concentration of octane? $\endgroup$
    – Proscionexium
    Commented Oct 5, 2023 at 17:09
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ No, the system remains out of equilibrium. The forward and reverse rates depend on the rate constant (which might be very different for the two systems) and the partial pressure at the interface (which depend on bulk partial pressure and transport kinetics, which in turn depend on the shape of the drop and the object the drop is on). Overall, it is plenty complicated. $\endgroup$
    – Karsten ♦
    Commented Oct 5, 2023 at 17:15
  • $\begingroup$ @Karsten Is there something to do with steam distillation? Octane that we talk here is petrol ( which is a mixture). As far as I know, octane is also mixed with alcohols to increase petrol's efficiency as a fuel. Alcohol being a polar substance, might be less soluble in octane, which is non polar ( I tried to find solubility of alcohol in octane, but couldn't find. so this is just an assumption.) So as in steam distillation, they boil at low temperature. (therefore, evaporate more at room temperature.) $\endgroup$
    – donthababakka
    Commented Oct 5, 2023 at 19:30
  • $\begingroup$ Good point with mentioning existing humidity, I have forgotten to mention it. $\endgroup$
    – Poutnik
    Commented Oct 5, 2023 at 20:41
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @donthababakka "Octane that we talk here is petrol" – No. Typical gasoline contains less than 1 % octane. $\endgroup$
    – Loong
    Commented Oct 8, 2023 at 9:04