Solutions and Their Properties

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to solutions and their properties.

Solution

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances.

Solute

The component of a solution that is present in a smaller quantity.

Solvent

The component of a solution that is present in the largest quantity; it determines the physical state of the solution.

Colligative properties

Properties of solutions that depend on the number of solute particles, not their identity.

Molarity (M)

The number of moles of solute dissolved in one liter of solution.

Molality (m)

The number of moles of solute per kilogram of solvent.

Mass percentage (w/w)

The mass of the component divided by the total mass of the solution, multiplied by 100.

Henry’s Law

The solubility of a gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of the gas above the solution at a constant temperature.

Raoult’s Law

The partial vapour pressure of each component in a solution is directly proportional to its mole fraction.

Ideal solution

A solution that obeys Raoult's law over the entire range of concentration without deviations.

Non-ideal solution

A solution that does not obey Raoult's law, showing positive or negative deviations.

Saturated solution

A solution in which no more solute can be dissolved at a given temperature.

Unsaturated solution

A solution in which more solute can be dissolved at the same temperature.

Dynamic equilibrium

A condition where the rate of dissolution and crystallization are equal, and solute concentration remains constant.

Osmotic pressure

The pressure required to stop osmosis; it depends on the concentration of the solute.

Vapour pressure

The pressure exerted by the vapours of a liquid in equilibrium with its liquid at a given temperature.

Parts per million (ppm)

A way to express very dilute concentration of substances, defined as the number of parts of the solute per million parts of solution.