Solution Chemistry

Solutions

• Solution: A homogeneous mixture made up of a solute and a solvent.

Solute

• Solute: The dissolved particles in a solution.

Solvent

• Solvent: The dissolving medium in a solution.

Solubility

• Solubility: The amount of a substance that dissolves in a given quantity of solvent at a specific temperature.

Saturated Solution

• Saturated Solution: Contains the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved at that temperature.

Supersaturated Solution

• Supersaturated Solution: Contains more solute than it can theoretically hold at that temperature.

Unsaturated Solution

• Unsaturated Solution: A solution in which more solute can still be dissolved.

Miscible

• Miscible: Two liquids that will dissolve in each other.

Immiscible

• Immiscible: Two liquids that will not dissolve in each other (e.g., oil and water).

Dissociation

• Dissociation: The process of ionic compounds separating into ions in solution.

Aqueous Solution

• Aqueous Solution: A solution where the solvent is water.

Solvation

• Solvation: The process of surrounding solute particles with solvent particles.

Polar Compound

• Polar Compound: Molecule with partial positive and negative ends; dissolves well in water.

Nonpolar Compound

• Nonpolar Compound: Molecule with no charged ends; does not dissolve well in water.

Temperature & Solubility

• Temperature & Solubility: For most substances, solubility increases with temperature. For gases, it decreases.

Pressure & Gas Solubility

• Pressure & Gas Solubility: Solubility of gaseous solutes increases with pressure.

Ion-Dipole Interaction

• Ion-Dipole Interaction: Anions are attracted to the hydrogen side of water; cations to the oxygen side.