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In a chem lab, why do I have to use ethanol and distilled water to rinse solid copper that I will have filtered from a solution of zinc chloride and zinc sulfate?
Is it necessary to use both ethanol and distilled water, or would one of these solvents be sufficient?
It is recommended to use both ethanol and distilled water to effectively rinse the copper. The ethanol helps to dissolve and remove any organic compounds, while the distilled water is used to remove any remaining inorganic compounds. This dual rinsing process helps to ensure that the copper is thoroughly cleaned.