Chapter 8 - Solutions

Question 0

Explain supersaturated solutions further:

Answer 0

Many are unstable and the presence of dust or the addition of a small quantity of solid solute can cause the excess solute to crystallise out from solution.

Question 1

Explain saturated solutions:

Answer 1

Saturated: is one in which no more solute will dissolve under the existing conditions

Question 2

Explain polar and non-polar substances

Answer 2

Water and sugar are polar substances, while petrol and oil are non polar substances.
Compounds containing -OH or -NH groups in their molecules are often polar and compounds whose molecules are mostly composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms tend to be non-polar. Ionic compounds can be regarded as very highly polar substances.

Question 3

Solubilities of polar and non-polar substances

Answer 3

A polar substance will tend to dissolve in a polar solvent, but not a non-polar solvent.
A non-polar substance will tend to dissolve in a non-polar solvent, but not a polar substance.

Question 4

Explain unsaturated solutions

Answer 4

Unsaturated: is one that contains less than the quantity of solute needed to saturate it under the existing conditions.

Question 5

Explain supersaturated solutions:

Answer 5

Supersaturated: is one that contains more dissolved solute than a saturated solution could normally handle under existing conditions.