UNIVERSITY OF MAKATI

HIGHER SCHOOL NG UMAK

Mathematics, Science & Research Department
General Chemistry 2
Module 3: Solution and Solubility

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. describe the different types of solutions;

2. explain the effect of temperature on the solubility of a
solid and of a gas; and
3. explain the effect of pressure on the solubility of a
gas.

Solutions
Solution is a homogenous mixture of two or more substances. It is categorized as a homogenous
mixture because its components are indistinguishable from one another. It is consist of a solute, the
substance that dissolves in the solution, and solvent, the substance in which the solute dissolves.
The most common type of solution is a solid solute dissolved in a liquid solvent as a juice drinks
and salt water. However, there are other forms of solutions based on the states of the solute and the
solvent. It exists in three states: solid, liquid and gas. The solution has the same physical state as the
solvent. Hence, a sugar solution is a liquid solution because the solvent is liquid (water), and air is a
gas solution because the solvent is gas (nitrogen gas).

Soft drinks Dental amalgam filling the air we breathe

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Types of Solutions
Solutions may be solid, liquid, or gas based on their physical state.

Type Example Solute Solvent

Solid Solution
• Solid in a solid Steel Carbon Iron
• Liquid in a solid Dental amalgam Mercury Silver
Liquid Solution
• Solid in a liquid Seawater Sodium chloride Water
• Liquid in liquid Vinegar Acetic acid Water
• Gas in liquid Soda water Carbon dioxide Water
Gas Solution
• Gas in a gas Air Oxygen Nitrogen

Solubility
Solubility is the ability of a solid, liquid, or gaseous chemical substance (referred to as the solute) to
dissolve in solvent (usually a liquid) and form a solution. The different factors that influence solubility
are nature of solute and solvent, temperature and pressure.

1. Nature of Solute and Solvent

In predicting solubility, a popular saying, “like dissolves like” is used. The ability for a
solvent to dissolve various compounds depends primarily on its polarity. For example, a polar
solute like sugar is soluble in polar water and insoluble in non-polar solvents like benzene. Non-
polar solute like naphthalene is insoluble in water and soluble in benzene.

2. Temperature
Temperature affects the solubility of most substances as it allows the solvent to expand,
accommodating more solute. However, the influence of temperature in the solubility of
substances varies depending on the state of the solute.
For many solids dissolved in liquid, solubility tends to correspond with increasing
temperature. For example, more sugar will dissolve in hot water than in cold water. This is
because as water molecules heat up, they vibrate more quickly and are better able to interact
with and break apart the solute.
The solubility of gases displays the opposite relationship with temperature; that is, as
temperature increases, gas solubility tends to decrease. As explained in the kinetic molecular
theory, gaseous molecules gain more kinetic energy as temperature increases, allowing them
to move more rapidly and never settle in one place. As a result, gaseous molecules are less
attracted to solvent as the temperature increases because of the tendency of the gas to escape
from the liquid.

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 3. Pressure
Pressure has a negligible effect on the solubility of solid and liquid solutes, but it has a strong
effect on solutions with gaseous solutes. This is apparent every time you open a soda can; the
hissing sound from the can is due to the fact that its contents are under pressure, which ensures
that the soda stays carbonated (that is to say, that the carbon dioxide stays dissolved in solution).
The takeaway from this is that the solubility of gases tends to correlate with increasing pressure.

Identify the solute and the solvent in each of the following.

Solution Solute Solvent
1. Soda
2. Rubbing alcohol
3. Brass
4. Brine
5. Vinegar
6. Wine
7. Air
8. Lye solution
9. 18K gold
10. Juice

1. What is a solution?
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2. Identify and describe the two parts of a solution.
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3. Give an example of a substance that is soluble in water and a substance that is insoluble in water.
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4. Why does the solubility of a gas decrease as the temperature increases?
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5. Would I2 be more soluble in CCl4 or H2O? Explain your answer.
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1. Does a solution have to have water as the solvent?

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2. Is there an example of a solution where water is the solute?

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Baguio, S. S. (2017). Breaking Through General Chemistry 2. Quezon City: C&E Publishing, Inc.
Ck-12 (n.d.) Retrieved from https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-chemistry-flexbook-
2.0/section/16.2/primary/lesson/solute-solvent-combinations-chem
Mott, V. (n.d.). Solubility | Introduction to Chemistry. Lumen.
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introchem/chapter/solubility/
Rodil, M. S., & Cuarto, C. R. (2018). Conceptual Science and Beyond General Chemistry 2. Quezon
City: Brilliant Creations Publishing, Inc.

PREPARED BY: GASTARDO, ARIANA LHENZY T.

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