Solubility and Solutions

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the concepts of solubility, solute, solvent, and the effects of temperature and pressure on the dissolution processes.

Solute

The substance that is dissolved in a solvent (e.g., sugar in tea).

Solvent

The substance that dissolves the solute (e.g., tea in which sugar is dissolved).

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of a solute dissolved in a solvent (e.g., sugar tea solution).

Solubility

The measure of the amount of solute that can dissolve in a solvent, typically expressed in grams per 100 centimeters cubed.

Soluble

A solute that can dissolve in a solvent.

Insoluble

A solute that cannot dissolve in a solvent.

Polarity

A property of molecules which determines their solubility in polar or nonpolar substances.

Effect of temperature on solubility of solids

Increasing the temperature of the solvent generally increases the solubility of solid solutes.

Effect of pressure on solubility of gases

Increasing the pressure above a liquid increases the solubility of dissolved gases in that liquid.

Dissolution of gases

When a gas dissolves in a liquid, such as CO2 in lemonade.