Question

What is the difference between deliquescent and hygroscopic substances? Give one example of each.

Answer 1

Deliquescent substances;-

These are the substances that absorb moisture from the atmosphere and dissolve in the absorbed water to form solutions.

For examples;

Potassium hydroxide(KOH), Sodium hydroxide(NaOH), Ferric Chloride(FeCl₃), etc.

Hygroscopic substances:-

These are the substances that absorb moisture from the atmosphere but do not dissolve in the absorbed water.

For examples:

Anhydrous Calcium chloride(CaCl₂), Quick Lime(CaO), silica gel, etc.