How can a microscopic filter seperate molecules by shape?

Kerry Q2008-01-17T11:53:03Z

Favorite Answer

Because molecules have a particular shape. For example:

Octane has 8 carbons and 18 hydrogens, Methane has 1 carbon and 4 hydrogens.

Which is bigger?
A semipermiable membrane can distinguish between the two if it has picometer sized holes that only methane can fit through. Do you think Octane can fit through that same hole?

00

Related Questions

how can a microscopic filter seperate molecules by shape?Are any protein molecules shaped like little swastikas?To seperate alcohol from water molecules what type of process must be used?What shape do you associate with?Will photon belt be the God's filter to seperate humans and monsters?

Trending Questions

How fast is ludicrous speed ?14 answersWill it be culturally-insensitive to send an astranaut by the name of Ben D'Over to explore Uranus?6 answersDid astronauts land on the far side of the moon, just wondering why we can’t see evidence with telescopes ?13 answersHow many light years old is mars?27 answersWhich planets (or other bodies) in our solar system are the least difficult to colonize?11 answers