Chemistry: Solutions Flashcards
Solutions
Homogenous mixtures of substances that combine to form a single phase, generally the liquid phase. Many important chemical reactions, both in the lab and in nature, take place in solution (including almost all reactions in living organisms).
Solvent
Component of the solution whose phase remains the same after mixing. If the solute and solvent are already in the same phase, the solvent is the component present in greater quantity.
Solvation
The interaction between solute and solvent molecules. Also known as dissolution. Solvation is possible when the attractive forces between solute and solvent are stronger than those between the solute particles. For nonionic solutes, solvation involves van der Waals forces between the solute and solvent molecules. The general rule is that like dissolves like: ionic and polar solutes are soluble in polar solvents, and nonpolar solutes are soluble in nonpolar solvents.
Hydration
When water is the solvent. Resulting solution is known as an aqueous solution.
Solubility
Solubility of a substance is the max amount of that substance that can be dissolved in a particular solvent at a particular temperature.
Saturated
When the maximum amount of solute has been added, the solution is in equilibrium and is said to be saturated; if more solute is added, it will not dissolve.
Dilute
A solution in which the proportion of solute to solvent is small.
Concentrated
A solution in which the proportion of solute to solvent is large.
Crystallization
When a dissolved solute comes out of solution and forms crystals.
Supersaturated Solutions
Solutions that contain more solute than found in a saturated solution. In a supersaturated solution, the addition of more solute will cause the excess solute in the supersaturated solution to separate, and a saturated solution will subsequently form.
Aqueous Solutions
Most common class of solutions, in which the solvent is water. In discussing chemistry of aqueous solutions, its useful to know how soluble various salts are in water.
Solubility Rules: Alkali Metals
All salts of alkali metals are water soluble.
Solubility Rules: Ammonium Ion
All salts of the ammonium ion (NH4+) are water soluble.
Solubility Rules: Chlorides, Bromides, and Iodides
All chlorides, bromides, and iodides are water soluble, with the exceptions of Ag+, Pb+2, and Hg2+2.
Solubility Rules: Sulfate Ion
All salts of the sulfate ion (SO4-2) are water soluble, with the exceptions of Ca+2, Sr+2, Ba+2, and Pb+2.