Chapter 22, Problem 41R

To determine

To Identify: The white deposits and whether it could be cleaned with a dish detergent.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:Anacid can only neutralizea base.

White deposits formed inside a teakettle are cleaned using vinegar.

As vinegar is an acid, chemical name-acetic acid, therefore the white deposits must be a basic solution, presumably formed due to boiling of milk (as tea leaves or water cannot be basic).

As a base can only be neutralized by an acid, dish detergent, which is chemically a salt, cannot clean the white deposits.

Conclusion: The white deposits are a basic solution that cannot be cleaned by a dish detergent.