Solutions, Solubility, and Concentration

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental concepts of solutions, saturation states, solubility factors, dissolution acceleration, and solution concentration.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances formed when a solute is dissolved in a solvent.

Solute

The substance that is dissolved by another substance in a solution, present in the smallest amount (for example, salt in saltwater).

Solvent

The substance that dissolves the solute, usually present in the larger amount in a solution (for example, water in saltwater).

Universal Solvent

A term for water, named because it has the ability to dissolve the majority of substances.

Dissolution

The process by which a solute (gas, liquid, or solid) dissolves in a solvent to form a solution, such as sodium chloride dissociating into sodium and chloride ions in water.

Crystallization

The process in which dissolved solute separates out from a solution to form solid crystals, representing the reverse of dissolution.

Unsaturated Solution

A solution in which the solvent is capable of dissolving more solute at a given temperature, because the amount of dissolved solute is less than the maximum allowable limit.

Saturated Solution

A state in which the solvent is unable to dissolve any more solute at a given temperature, holding the maximum possible amount of dissolved solute.

Super-Saturated Solution

A solution containing an excess amount of solute beyond its normal solubility limit at a given temperature, causing the extra solute to rapidly crystallize and settle at the bottom.

Solubility

A measure of the maximum amount (upper limit) of solute that can dissolve into a given solvent at a specific temperature.

"Like Dissolves Like"

A chemical aphorism stating that solutes dissolve in solvents of similar polarity; polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents (such as $NaCl$ in $H_2O$), while non-polar solutes do not dissolve in polar solvents.

Gas Solubility (Pressure Dependence)

The principle stating that the solubility of gases in liquids is directly proportional to the pressure of the gas above the liquid.

Molecular Size Effect on Solubility

The principle that larger solute molecules are more difficult for solvent molecules to surround and dissolve compared to smaller molecules.

Stirring (Rate of Dissolution)

A physical method that accelerates dissolution by spreading solute particles throughout the liquid and moving solvent molecules to interact with solid particles more rapidly.

Surface Area / Particle Size (Rate of Dissolution)

A method of accelerating dissolution by breaking a solid into smaller pieces, which increases the surface area in contact with the solvent.

Solution Concentration

The amount of solute present in a given quantity of solution.

Dilute Solution

A solution that contains a relatively small amount of solute dissolved in a large amount of solvent (such as vinegar or lemon juice in water).

Concentrated Solution

A solution that contains a large amount of solute dissolved in a small amount of solvent (such as household bleach or battery acid).

Brine

A concentrated solution of sodium chloride (common salt) in water, commonly utilized for melting salt.