2 A white powder was placed in the melting point apparatus shown in Figure 2. The oil in the apparatus had a high boiling point. The
chemist carrying out the test noted that the white powder started
to melt at 158°C and finished melting at 169°C.
a What was the melting range of the white powder? [1 mark]
b What does this information tell us about the white powder?
[1 mark]
c Why was oil, and not water, used in the apparatus? [1 mark]