Solubility

Question 1

What is solubility?

Answer 1

Solubility is the maximum amount of a substance that can dissolve in a solvent at a given temperature to form a saturated solution.

Question 2

What is a saturated solution?

Answer 2

A saturated solution contains the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve at that temperature—any more added will not dissolve.

Question 3

How does temperature affect solubility of solids?

Answer 3

Solubility of most solids increases as temperature increases.

Question 4

How does temperature affect solubility of gases?

Answer 4

Solubility of gases usually decreases as temperature increases.

Question 5

What is a solubility curve?

Answer 5

A solubility curve is a graph showing how the solubility of a substance changes with temperature.

Question 6

What units are used for solubility?

Answer 6

Grams of solute per 100 grams of solvent (g/100g).

Question 7

How do you calculate solubility from a practical experiment?

Answer 7

Solubility = (mass of solute / mass of solvent) × 100

Question 8

Why are solubility curves important?

Answer 8

They help predict how much solute can dissolve at different temperatures and are used in crystallisation.

Question 9

What happens if a saturated solution is cooled?

Answer 9

Some of the dissolved solute may come out of solution as crystals—this process is called crystallisation.