Introduction
Solubility is the capacity of one substance to dissolve in another substance. It is important for everyday life, as products like sugar, salt and medicine are dependant on the solubility of the respective substances in water or some other solvent. Temperature plays a role in solubility, as often the solubility of substances is altered by an increase or decrease in temperature. This article will explain the effect of temperature on solubility, and the consequence to a solubility-temperature curve.
Statement of Problem
What are the effects of temperature on solubility, and how does it influence the shape of a solubility-temperature curve?
Description of Temperature Effects on Solubility
The temperature of a solution has an effect on how much of a given substance can dissolve. The temperature effects on solubility can be divided into two groups:
1.Temperature-driven solubility: In situations where substance solubility increases with the increasing temperature, the solubility is said to be temperature-driven. This can occur when the solute has a high heat capacity and latent heat of vaporization, leading to a lack of energy to form intermolecular interactions. Heat energy is instead spent breaking apart the solid form of the solute, which leads to an increase in solubility.
2.Temperature-independent solubility: Some substances can possess what is known as temperature-independent solubility. This is true for compounds with low to moderate values for heat capacity and latent heat of vaporization. These compounds have a higher chance of forming intermolecular interactions, allowing them to stay in the dissolved form regardless of the temperature of the solution.
A Solubility-Temperature Curve
Solubility-temperature curves can be used to illustrate how a substance’s solubility is affected by changes in temperature. It’s important to note that these curves can differ depending on the type of solvent used, which can affect the solubility of a given solute.
The general shape of a solubility-temperature curve will depend on the type of solute being studied. Temperature-driven solutes will have a curve that increases with temperature, while for temperature-independent solutes the curve will remain flat regardless of the change in temperature.
In cases where the solute has both negative and positive solubility, the solubility-temperature curve can be much more complex. An alternating change of negative and positive solubility may result in a solubility-temperature curve that looks like a series of peaks and troughs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this article has shown that temperature plays a role in the solubility of substances. Temperature-driven solutes tend to have increasing solubility with increasing temperature, while temperature-independent solutes remain unaffected by temperature changes. The shape of a solubility-temperature curve can vary depending on the nature of the solute, with some solutes exhibiting alternating negative and positive solubilities. Understanding solubility-temperature curves is important in many industries due to their practical implications.
