5.

4 Solution and Solubility

Solutions exist all around us. The ocean and rivers are solutions. The liquids in our body are often solutions. Even the mineral water that you drink is solution.

What are solutions?

(solute)

(solvent)

(solution)
Dissolves in a solvent

Solute

Solution

A solute is the substance dissolved in a liquid. A solvent is the liquid that dissolves the substance. A solution is formed when a solute dissolves in a solvent.

Characteristics of Solutions Homogeneous Its physical and chemical properties

are the same in every part of the solution. The tiny solute particles are spread out evenly in the solvent.

Allows light to pass through it. Does not leave any residue when filtered

Activity 5.5 Aim: To Prepare a dilute solution, a concentrared solution and a saturated solution Materials: 100 g of table salt, distilled water Apparatus: Beaker, spatula, glass rod, measuring cylinder Procedure : A. Dilute solution 1. Add one spatula of salt into 100 ml of distilled water as in figure 5.41. 2. Stir the mixture with a glass rod untill all the salt has dissolved. B. Concentrated solution 1. Add four spatulas of salt into 100 ml of distilled water. 2. Stir the mixture with a glass rod untill all the salt has dissolved. C. Saturated solution 1. Add four spatulas of salt into 100 ml of distilled water . 2. Stir untill all the salt has dissolved. 3. Add a little salt and stir untill all the salt has dissolved. 4. Repeat step 3 until no more salt can dissolve in the solution. You will find excess salt at the bottom of the beaker no metter how longer you stir.

Different proportions of solute to solvent give us solutions of different concentrations

Dilute solution Concentrated solution
Similarities

Saturated solution

All are prepared by dissolving solute in solvents. All have a clear apperance.
Differences

Has little dissolved solute in it Can dissolve a lot more solute

Has a lot of dissolved solute in it. Can only dissolve a little more solute

Has the maximum amount of dissolved solute in it. Can dissolve more solute

Suspension
Other than solutions, there is another kind of mixture that we normally use in our daily lives, namely suspension. A suspension is a mixture containing dissolved substances are known as solution and mixture containing insoluble substances, e.g : muddy water The insoluble particles in suspension are big enough to prevent light from passing through. When suspension is left to stand, the particles settle at the bottom. A suspension can be separated into its components by filtration. The insoluble particles or sediments will be left behind as residue when a suspension is filtered.