Name: _________________________________ Date: ________________

Section: ___________________________ Teacher: _____________

S OLUBILITY CURVE OF KNO 3

Introduction
The maximum amount of solute that will dissolve in a given amount of solvent is called its solubility.
What factors determine the solubility of a substance? Certainly the nature of the solute affects the amount of
the substance that can dissolve. For example, sodium iodide is more soluble than sodium chloride in a given
amount of water. The nature of the solvent also affects the solubility of a substance. Sodium chloride is highly
soluble in water but not very soluble in ethanol. Temperature of the solvent is another factor affecting solubility.
The solubility of most solids varies directly with temperature. In other words, the higher the temperature of the
solvent, the more solute will dissolve—that is, the greater the solubility of the solid.
In this investigation, you will study the relationship between the solubility of potassium nitrate (KNO 3 )
and the temperature of the water solvent. Different amounts of KNO3 will be dissolved in a given amount of
water at a temperature close to its boiling point. You will observe each solution as it cools and note the
temperature at which crystallization occurs. Crystallization indicates a saturated solution or one that contains
the maximum amount of KNO 3 in that amount of water. From this solubility data, a solubility curve for KNO3
can be constructed.

Pre-Lab Discussion Qu estions

1. Define the following terms.
Solubility: _______________________________________________________________________
the amuount of dissolved solut that can be dissolved in a solution
________________________________________________________________________________
the maximum amount of dissolve solute in a solvent
Saturated Solution: _______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Unsaturated Solution: _____________________________________________________________
when a solvent does not have the miximum amount of solute dissolved in it
________________________________________________________________________________
Supersaturated Solution: ___________________________________________________________
when a solvent is altered to gain more solubility
________________________________________________________________________________
2. Determine the solubility of sodium sulfate, Na 2 SO4 , in grams per 100g of water, if 0.94g of Na 2 SO4 in 20g
of H 2 O results in a saturated solution.

3. Why is it necessary to warm the thermometer in Procedure Step 2 before placing it into the solutions?
________________________________________________________________________________
this is because the thermometer can change the temperature of the 5 grams of waterlu.k,
4. A student stated that the solubility of potassium chloride, KCl, at 20ºC was 36g of KCl per 100g of
solution. What is wrong with this statement?
they measured it using per 100 grams of solution and not water
__________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
5. How do you know when the solid is completely dissolved?
________________________________________________________________________________
when it doesnt stack on the bottom of the solvent
6. What special safety precautions should be taken while doing this investigation?
________________________________________________________________________________
wear goggles and dont touch the hot plate
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Probl em
How does the solubility of potassium nitrate depend on temperature?
Materials
Chemical Splash Goggles 400mL Beaker Laboratory Balance
Laboratory Apron Hot Plate Potassium Nitrate (KNO3 )
1 Large Test Tube Thermometer 10mL Graduated Cylinder
Test-Tube Rack/Test Tube Holder Distilled Water Utility Clamp/ Ring Stand
Stirring Rod

Safety
Wear your goggles and lab apron at all times during the investigation. Do not touch the hot plate or heated water
with your bare skin.

Procedure
1. Put on your goggles and lab apron and obtain all necessary supplies from above.
2. Fill a 400mL beaker ¾ full of tap water.
3. Place a thermometer in the beaker and heat the water on a hot plate until its temperature is about 90ºC.
(While you are waiting for the water to heat, go on to the next step)
CAUTION: Do not touch the hot plate or heated water with your bare skin.
4. Measure out _________ grams of potassium nitrate (KNO3 ) and put it into the test tube.
5. Using the graduated cylinder to measure, add 5.0mL distilled water to the test tube.
6. Attach a utility clamp to a ring stand.
7. Place the test tube in the clamp and lower it into the hot water bath.
8. Stir the KNO 3 solution with the stirring rod until the solid is completely dissolved. (Remove the stirring
rod and rinse it off.)
9. Loosen the utility clamp & using a test tube holder, remove the test tube.
10. Place the warm thermometer from the hot water bath into the test tube.
11. Watch the test tube for the first sign of crystallization. As soon as it occurs, record the temperature for
your sample in the Class Data Table below.
12. Place the temperature value you obtained for your sample on the board and compile a class data table.
Copy the information from the board onto the table below.
13. Clean Up: Place all the test tubes back in the hot water bath and re-dissolve the solid. Flush the solution
down the drain with plenty of water. Turn off the hot plate. Clean up your work area and wash your hands
before leaving the laboratory.

Observations
CLASS DATA TABLE
Grams of KNO 3 per Temperature (ºC)
5g of H 2 O
2.0g
3.0g
4.0g
5.0g
6.0g
7.0g
8.0g
Ca lculations
1. For each sample above, calculate the solubility of KNO3 in grams per 100g of H 2 O.

Critical Thinki ng: Analysis a nd Conclusions

1. Based on the class data and on your calculations, construct a solubility curve for KNO3 by graphing the
mass of KNO 3 per 100g of H 2 O (solubility) vs. temperature. Place temperature on the x-axis and
 solubility on the y-axis. Connect the points in a smooth curve. Compare your curve to the KNO 3 curve
on Table G of your Reference Table. Does it look similar??

2. Describe the relationship between the solubility of KNO3 and the temperature of the solvent.
__________________________________________________________________________________
the solubility and temperature have a direct relationship
______________________________________________________________________________

3. Using your graph, determine how many grams of KNO3 can be dissolved in 100g of H2 O at the following
temperatures:
35°C: ______________________________
60°C: ______________________________
70°C: ______________________________
Critical Thinki ng: Applications
1. Using your graph, predict whether the following solutions of KNO3 would be considered saturated,
unsaturated, or supersaturated. How did you come to that prediction based on your graph?

supersaturated because on the graph the line of best fit would

75g KNO 3 per 100g of H 2 O at 40°C: __________________________________________________
be over the amount the water can actually dissolve
________________________________________________________________________________
unsaturated because on the graph 60 is below the maximum amount of
60g KNO 3 per 100g of H 2 O at 50°C: ___________________________________________________
solubility
 ________________________________________________________________________________

2. Sketch the general shape for a solubility curve for a gas below. What is the relationship between
temperature and solubility of a gas?
Temperature adn solubility have a direct relationship, as temperature increases, so does the solubility
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