Question

Give two examples of deliquescent substances.

Answer 1

Hint :Deliquescent substances readily absorb water from the atmosphere, until they dissolve themselves in the absorbed water and form a solution. Deliquescent solids are the solid substances formed by the process of deliquescence.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
The process by which substances absorb moisture from the atmosphere until they dissolve themselves in the adsorbed water and form a solution is known as Deliquescence.
These deliquescent substances keep on absorbing water till they dissolve themselves into the liquid solutions.
This deliquescence process occurs when the vapour pressure of the solution is less than the partial pressure of water vapour in the air.
These deliquescent materials have a very strong affinity for the moisture in air and will relatively absorb a very large amount of moisture.
 Salts are the most deliquescent substances
Examples: potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, ammonium chloride, sodium nitrate, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, zinc chloride, ferric chloride, carnallite, potassium carbonate, potassium phosphate, ferric ammonium citrate, ammonium nitrate. potassium hydroxide, and sodium hydroxide.
These substances can be used to remove excess water from the sulphuric acid and phosphoric acid.
Certain substances are regarded as hygroscopic because of their ability to absorb water from air to get diluted. If the substance has high hygroscopic ability and it absorbs so much moisture then the equal solution is formed and this substance is regarded as deliquescent.
Sodium chloride or the common salt may be deliquescent if the moisture is very high, usually it is considered hygroscopic.

Note :
Desiccants are substances which are hygroscopic that absorb water to induce the state of dryness. Deliquescent substances have a strong affinity for water. Therefore, they find use as desiccants.