Solubility and Solubility Curves

Solubility and Solubility Curves

• Solubility is the measure of how much solute can dissolve in a particular solvent at a specific temperature.
• A solute is the substance that is being dissolved, like salt in saltwater.
• A solvent is the substance in which the solute is being dissolved, like water in saltwater.
• Saturated solution refers to a solution in which no more solute can be dissolved at a particular temperature.
• Solubility of solids in water generally increases with the increase in temperature.
• However, this is not universally true. The solubility of gases in water decreases with an increase in temperature.
• A solubility curve is a graphical representation of the solubility of a particular solute in a particular solvent with temperature as the varying factor.
• The solubility curve can be used to determine whether a solution is unsaturated, saturated, or supersaturated at a given temperature.
• If a point on the solubility curve represents the exact concentration of a solute in a solution at a certain temperature, it signifies a saturated solution.
• A point below the curve shows an unsaturated solution where more solute can still be dissolved.
• A point above the curve indicates a supersaturated solution. These solutions are unstable - small disturbances or the introduction of additional solute can cause the excess solute to crystallise out.