___ is very effective in cleaning up a polymer spill

• A. Water
• B. Alcohol
• C. Salt
• D. Oil

Answer: (C)

This tests understanding of how salts influence polymer solubility in water (the salting-out effect). When you add salt to a water/polymer mixture, the ions compete with the polymer for water molecules and screen the attractive forces between polymer chains and water. This reduces the solvent quality for the polymer, causing it to precipitate or flocculate. In a spill, the polymer becomes easier to collect and remove because it shifts from dissolved to solid or particulate form.

Water would keep many polymers dissolved, so it’s not as effective for cleanup. Alcohol may help with some residues but isn’t reliably effective for all polymers and spill scales. Oil wouldn’t address a water-soluble polymer spill and could complicate cleanup. Salt, through salting-out, directly promotes precipitation and easier removal, making it the best choice.