Partition coefficients — common mistakes

Pay close attention to the wording of the question. If it asks for '$K_{pc}$ of X between solvent A and solvent B', the concentration in solvent A must be the numerator. Reversing this will give you the reciprocal ($1/K_{pc}$), which is a common error.

No, $K_{pc}$ is a dimensionless quantity. It is a ratio of two concentrations measured in the same units (e.g., mol dm⁻³ / mol dm⁻³ or g cm⁻³ / g cm⁻³), so the units cancel out.

A very large $K_{pc}$ means the solute is vastly more soluble in the numerator solvent than the denominator solvent. For example, if $K_{pc} = \frac{[X_{organic}]}{[X_{aqueous}]} = 1000$, it implies that compound X is highly non-polar or has features that make it much more stable in the organic solvent than in water.

A separating funnel is designed for this purpose. Its shape allows for vigorous shaking to ensure equilibrium is reached. It has a stopper to prevent leakage during shaking and a tap at the bottom that allows the denser, lower layer to be carefully drained off, achieving a clean separation of the two immiscible liquids.

Yes, absolutely. Partitioning is the fundamental principle behind many forms of chromatography, such as paper chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). In these techniques, solutes continuously partition between a stationary phase and a mobile phase. Differences in the partition coefficients for different solutes cause them to move at different rates, leading to separation.