Properties of Solutions

CA Standards
Students know the definitions of solute and solvent.

Students know how to describe the dissolving process

at the molecular level by using the concept of random
molecular motion.

Students know temperature, pressure, and surface

area affect the dissolving process.
Classification
of Matter
Solutions are
homogeneous
mixtures
Solute
A solute is the dissolved substance in a
solution.
Salt in salt water Sugar in soda drinks
Carbon dioxide in soda drinks
Solvent
A solvent is the dissolving medium in a
solution.
Water in salt water Water in soda
 “Like Dissolves Like”
Nonpolar solutes dissolve best in nonpolar
solvents
Fats Benzene
Steroids Hexane
Waxes Toluene

Polar and ionic solutes dissolve best in polar

solvents
Inorganic Salts Water
Sugars Small alcohols
Acetic acid
Water’s Solvent Interactions

The oxygen (slightly

negative) end of
the water molecule
is attracted to the
positive ion of a
salt.
Water’s Solvent Interactions

The hydrogen
(slightly positive)
end of the water
molecule is
attracted to the
negative ion of a
salt.
 Solubility Trends
 The solubility of MOST solids increases
with temperature.
 The rate at which solids dissolve increases
with increasing surface area of the solid.
 The solubility of gases decreases with
increases in temperature.
 The solubility of gases increases with the
pressure above the solution.
Therefore…
Solids tend to dissolve best when:
o Heated
o Stirred
o Ground into small particles

Gases tend to dissolve best when:

o The solution is cold
o Pressure is high
Solubility Chart
 Definition of Electrolytes and
Nonelectrolytes

An electrolyte is:
A substance whose aqueous solution
conducts an electric current.
A nonelectrolyte is:
A substance whose aqueous solution
does not conduct an electric current.
 Electrolytes vs. Nonelectrolytes

The ammeter measures the flow of electrons (current)

through the circuit.
If the ammeter measures a current, and the bulb
glows, then the solution conducts.
If the ammeter fails to measure a current, and the
bulb does not glow, the solution is non-conducting.
Try to classify the following substances
as electrolytes or nonelectrolytes…

1.Pure
1.Pure water
water
2.Tap
2.Tap water
water
3.Sugar
3.Sugar solution
solution
4.Sodium
4.Sodium chloride
chloride solution
solution
5.Hydrochloric
5.Hydrochloric acid
acid solution
solution
6.Lactic
6.Lactic acid
acid solution
solution
7.Ethyl
7.Ethyl alcohol
alcohol solution
solution
8.Pure
8.Pure sodium
sodium chloride
chloride
 Answers to Electrolytes
ELECTROLYTES: NONELECTROLYTES:

Tap water (weak) Pure water

NaCl solution Sugar solution
HCl solution Ethanol solution
Lactate solution (weak) Pure NaCl
 Colligative Properties
Colligative properties are those that depend
on the concentration of particles in a
solution, not upon the identity of those
particles.

 Boiling Point Elevation

 Freezing Point Depression
 Osmotic Pressure
 Freezing Point Depression
Each mole of solute particles lowers the
freezing point of 1 kilogram of water by
1.86 degrees Celsius.

Boiling Point Elevation

Each mole of nonvolatile solute particles
raises the boiling point of 1 kilogram of
water by 0.51 degrees Celsius.