Solutions and Colligative Properties Study Guide

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the fundamental concepts of solutions, solubility factors, concentration units, and colligative properties based on the study guide transcript.

Solvation

The process that occurs on the molecular level when a solute dissolves, involving solvent molecules surrounding solute particles.

“Like dissolves like”

A phrase used to explain that polar and ionic substances dissolve most readily in polar solvents like water, while nonpolar substances dissolve in nonpolar solvents like toluene ($C_6H_5CH_3$).

Nonpolar covalent compound

A substance that will mix with a nonpolar solvent such as toluene ($C_6H_5CH_3$) but will not dissolve in water.

Electrolyte

A compound that conducts an electric current when in aqueous solution or in the molten state; all ionic compounds are examples.

Factors affecting rate of solvation

The three factors that determine how quickly a substance dissolves are agitation (stirring), temperature, and particle size.

Saturated solution

A solution that contains the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved in a given amount of solvent at a constant temperature.

Unsaturated solution

A solution that contains less solute than the maximum amount theoretically possible for the solvent at a specific temperature.

Supersaturated solution

A solution that contains more solute than it can theoretically hold at a given temperature; adding more solute to this state will typically cause precipitation.

Colligative property

A property of a solution that depends only upon the total number of solute particles present, and not upon their identity.

Boiling point elevation

The increase in the boiling point of a liquid that occurs when a non-volatile solute is added, because the solute particles lower the vapor pressure of the solvent.

Freezing point depression

The decrease in the freezing point of a solvent that occurs when a solute is added, preventing the solvent molecules from forming an orderly solid structure.

Molarity ($M$)

A measure of concentration defined as the number of moles of solute per liter of solution ($M = \frac{\text{moles solute}}{\text{liters solution}}$).

Molality ($m$)

A measure of concentration defined as the number of moles of solute per kilogram of solvent ($m = \frac{\text{moles solute}}{\text{kg solvent}}$).

Percent by volume

The ratio of the volume of the solute to the total volume of the solution, multiplied by 100.

Solubility curve

A graph that shows the relationship between temperature and the mass of solute that can dissolve in a certain mass of water (usually $100\text{\thinspace g}$).