Physical Properties of Solution
Physical Properties of Solution
Components of a solution
1. Solute- The solute is the thing being dissolved (for instance salt or sugar)
Temperature
Basically, solubility increases with temperature. It is the case for most of the
solvents. The situation is though different for gases. With increase of the
temperature they became less soluble in each other and in water, but more soluble
in organic solvents.
Polarity
In most cases solutes dissolve in solvents that have a similar polarity. Chemists use
a popular aphorism to describe this feature of solutes and solvents: "Like dissolves
like". Nonpolar solutes do not dissolve in polar solvents and the other way roud.
Pressure
For majority of solid and liguide solutes, pressure does not affect solubility.
Gas solutes
As for gasses the Henry's law states that solubility of gas is directly proportional to
the pressure of this gas. This is mathematically presented as: p = kc, where k is a
tempreture dependent constant for a gas. A good proof of Henry's law can be
observed when opening a bottle of carbonated dring. When we decrease the
pressure in a bottle, the gas that was dissolved in the drink bubbles out of it.
Molecular size
The larger the molecules of the solute are, the larger is their molecular wieght and
their size. It is more difficult it is for solvent molecules to surround bigger
molecules. If all of the above mnetioned factors ale excluded, a general rule can be
found that larger particles are generaly less soulble. If the pressure, and
temperature are the same than out of two solutes of the same polarity, the one with
smaller particles is usually more soluble.
Stirring does not have an affect on solubility of a substance, but everyone knows
that if he puts sugar in his tea and does not stirr, it will not dissolve. Actually, if we
left the tea to stand for a long enough time, the sugar would dissolve. Stirring only
increases the speed of the process - it increases move of the solvent what esposes
solute to fresh portions of it, thus eabling solubility. As molecules in liquide
substances are in costant move, the process would take place anyway, but it would
take more time.