3.

3 Soluble and insoluble solids

Soluble solids form solutions when mixed with a liquid.

A solution is a mixture in which the different components of the

mixture cannot be seen.

Solutions consist of two substances: a solute and solvent. The

solute is the substance dissolved in the solvent. The solvent does
the dissolving. The solution takes on the state of matter of the
solvent.

For example,
If solid salt is dissolved in liquid water, the solution will be in the liquid
state.
• • When the particles of the solute dissolve, they cannot be seen
by the naked eye.

• • A solution thus has a uniform appearance.

• • Solutions are clear because the tiny solute particles are too
small to block any light passing through the solution.

• • Solutions can be coloured if the solute or solvent is coloured,

but the solution will still be clear.

• • Solutions cannot be separated by filtering because the tiny

solute particles can pass through the filter paper.
Insoluble solids do not dissolve in liquids.

• • They form a suspension, which is a mixture in which the solute

particles remain visible in the solvent.

• • Eventually, the suspended particles will either sink to the

bottom of the container due to gravity, or will float to the top of the
liquid.

• • Sand mixed with water is an example of a suspension.

Suspensions look cloudy because large insoluble particles are big

enough to stop light passing through.

• • Suspensions can be separated by filtering because the large

solute particles cannot pass through the filter paper.