Understanding Solutions

What is a Solution?

Well mixed mixture that contains a solvent and at least 1 solute.

A solution has the same properties throughout.

Cannot see individual particles.

Parts of a Solution

Solute- substance that is present in smaller amount and is dissolved by the solvent.

Solvent- substance that is present in a larger amount and dissolves the solute.

Why is water the universal solvent?

Water the most common solvent

It dissolves so many substances that it is call the universal solvent.

Examples: sugar and water is the

starting point for most flavored drinks

Water is the solvent in blood, sweat, tears, and saliva

Solutions without water

A solution can be made with any combination of gases, liquids and solids.

Examples: Air (Oxygen and

other gases in nitrogen

Dental filling (silver in mercury

Brass (zinc and copper)

Stainless steel (chromium, nickel, and carbon in iron)

Gasoline

What is a Colloid?

A mixture containing small undissolved particles that do not settle out

A colloid contains larger particles than a solution ( still not large enough to see) but are able to scatter light.

Examples: Milk Fog Shaving cream Whipped cream

What is suspension?

A mixture in which particles can be seen and easily separated by settling or filtration

Suspensions contain visible particles that are larger than the particles in a colloid or solution

Examples: Snow globes Sand in water dust

Solutions, Colloids & Suspensions

Solutions and Conductivity Ionic compounds

dissolved in water conduct electricity Salt water

Molecular compounds dissolved in water do NOT conduct electricity Sugar water

How does a solute effect the solvent?

Solutes lower the freezing point and raise the boiling point of a solvent.

How is concentration measured?

Compare the amount of solute to the amount of solvent

Dilute Solution- only a little solute dissolved

Concentrated Solution- a lot of solute dissolved

What is solubility?

Measure of how much solute can dissolve in a solvent at a given temperature Saturated solution= no more solute can

be dissolved Unsaturated solution= more solute can

still be dissolved Supersaturated solution= more

dissolved solute than is predicted by its solubility at the given temperature

Factors Affecting Solubility

1. Pressure affects the solubility of gases

2. Type of solvent; - “like dissolves like”, oil and water not mixing

3. Temperature- Solids become less soluble as the

temperature of the solvent decreases- Gasses become less soluble as the

temperature increases