Solubility Article
Solutions: A solution is a well-mixed mixture that contains a solvent and at least
one solute and has the same properties throughout. The solvent is the part of a
solution present in the largest amount. It dissolves the other substances (solutes).
The solute is the substance present in a solution in a smaller amount and is
dissolved by the solvent; the solute particles are too small to see.
Solutions With Water: In many common solutions, water is the solvent. Sugar in
water is the starting solution for many flavored drinks. Adding food coloring gives
the drink color. Dissolving carbon dioxide (CO2) gas in the drink produces a fizzy
soda. Water dissolves so many substances it is often called the ‘universal solvent.’
Life depends on water solutions. Nutrients used by plants are dissolved in water in
the soil. Sap is a solution that carries sugar dissolved in water to tree cells. Water is
the solvent in blood, saliva, tears and sweat.
Solutions Without Water: Solutions can also be made with solvents other than
water. For example, gasoline is a solution of several different liquid fuels. You can
even have a solution without a liquid solvent. Solutions can be made of
combination of gases, liquids or solids.
Solubility: How much can sugar can dissolve into a glass of tea? Is there a limit?
Yes, only a few spoonfuls. After that, no matter how much you stir the tea, no
more sugar will dissolve; it just sinks to the bottom of the glass. Solubility is a
measure of how much solute can dissolve in a solvent at a given temperature.
When you’ve added so much solute that no more dissolves, you have a saturated
solution. If you add more sugar to a saturated solution of iced tea, the extra sugar
just settles to the bottom of the glass.
If you can continue to dissolve more solute, you still have an unsaturated solution.
A supersaturated solution has more solute dissolved than predicted by its solubility
at the given temperature. When you disturb a supersaturated solution by dropping
in a crystal of the solute, the extra solute will come out (undissolve) of the solution.
Using Solubility: Solubility can help identify a substance because it is a
characteristic property of matter. For example, if you had a white substance that
looked like either salt or sugar and you couldn’t taste or smell it, you could measure
its solubility. Measure how much will dissolve into water at a set temperature and
compare the results to the data on a solubility graph.
Variables Affecting the Rate of Solubility: Solubility rate is a measurement of how
fast or slow a solute dissolves into a solvent. Several factors can affect the solubility
rate of a solute. Most solutes will dissolve faster when the solvent’s temperature is
higher. Also, a hotter solvent will usually allow more solute to dissolve. Larger
particle size slows down the solubility rate. Stirring the solution will cause the
solute to dissolve faster. A larger amount of solute (higher concentration) will
cause the rate to be slower.
Solution Article Questions
1. Define Solution:
2. What is an example?
3. Define Solute:
4. What is an example?
5. Define Solvent:
6. What is an example?
7. Can solutions be made with solvents other than water?
8. What is an example?
9. Define Solubility:
10. Define Saturated:
11. Define Unsaturated:
12. Define Supersaturated:
13. Define Solubility Rate:
14. How does a hotter solvent affect a solutes solubility rate?
15. How does a solutes particle size affect its solubility rate?
16. How does stirring affect a solutes solubility rate?
17. How does a higher concentration of solute affect its solubility
rate?
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