Experiment No.

12: Factors Affecting Solubility

By Bernadette Fidelia C. Gonzales

Factors Affecting Solubility

Bernadette Fidelia C. Gonzales

Experiment BSN-1 Block-IV Group-II

#12 09.16.2009

Lab Report

Objective:
To investigate the factors that affect solubility of substances

Materials:
Mortar and pestle Platform balance Graduated cylinder 3 vials Spatula 2 test tubes Test tube holder Test tube rack Alcohol lamp Sugar Potassium bromide Naphthalene Oil Sodium bicarbonate Water Ethyl alcohol kerosene

Introduction:
As we have known, solubility is the property of a solid, liquid, or gaseous chemical substance called solute to dissolve in a liquid solvent to form a homogeneous solution. In observing the solubility of substances, factors affecting them are actually observed. In this experiment, we are going to know what and how these affect the solubility of substances.

Observations and Data:

A. *In the first vial containing 0.1 g sugar and 3 mL water`, it produced a clear brown solution. The sugar was dissolved in water. *In the second vial composed of 0.1 g potassium bromide and 3 mL water`, it produced a colorless solution. KBr was completely dissolved in water. *In the third vial consisting of 0.1 g naphthalene and 3 mL water`, naphthalene was undissolved. Some rested beneath, others rested above the surface. B. *In the first vial containing 0.1 g NaCl and 3 mL water`, it produced a colorless solution. NaCl was completely dissolved. *In the vial consisting of 0.1 g NaCl and 3 mL ethyl alcohol`, ethyl alcohol rested beneath the vial. It was still a colorless solution. *In the vial composed of 0.1 g NaCl and 3 mL kerosene`, kerosene was undissolved. Still, it was a colorless solution. C. *In the first test tube which consisted of 5 mL water and 1 mL mineral oil, the oil rested above the surface when it was shaken. The oil had a darker color compared to that of water. It was an immiscible solution. *In the second test tube composed of 5 mL ethyl alcohol and 1 mL mineral oil`, the oil rested beneath the test tube. It produced a color which is similar to that of urine. It was again an immiscible solution. *In the third test tube containing 5 mL kerosene and 1mL mineral oil`, both mixed with each other. They are miscible. D. *After boiling 3 mL of water, sodium bicarbonate crystals were added. In the mixture, bubbles were produced. It was then cooled in running water and some NaHCO3 rested beneath the test tube. NOTE: ` means which have been shaken

Discussion:

1. Using the same solvent (water) in procedure A, what can you say about the solubilities of sugar, potassium bromide and naphthalene? Sugar is soluble in water and so is potassium bromide. On the other hand, naphthalene is insoluble in water. The solutions of the first two substances were homogenous therefore, soluble in each other unlike in the third one, where some naphthalene rested beneath the vial. 2. In procedure B, in which solvent(s) does sodium chloride dissolve? Sodium Chloride (NaCl) dissolved in water. 3. In procedure C, what happens in each test tube? In which test tube(s) is there dissolving? In the first test tube, oil rested above the surface of the water. Therefore, it was an immiscible solution. In the second test tube, oil rested beneath the surface of the ethyl alcohol. It is in the third test tube that there was dissolving. Oil dissolved in kerosene. 4. In procedure D, what is observed when the supernatant liquid is cooled? Sodium bicarbonate rested beneath the test tube. 5. Now, summarize the factors that affect the solubility which are illustrated in this activity. Basically, there are three main factors that control solubility of a solute. (1) Temperature Generally in many cases solubility increases with the rise in temperature and decreases with the fall of temperature but it is not necessary in all cases. (2) Nature of solute or solvent Solubility of a solute in a solvent purely depends on the nature of both solute and solvent. A polar solute dissolved in polar solvent. Solubility of a non-polar solute in a solvent is large. A polar solute has low solubility or insoluble in a non-polar solvent. 4

(3) Pressure The effect of pressure is observed only in the case of gases. An increase in pressure increases of solubility of a gas in a liquid. However, in this activity, we have seen the great effect of the nature of solvent and solute. Like what was said, like dissolves like. Some were immiscible. Some were insoluble. The reason is that the substances that were mixed are not actually alike or dont have any properties that are common to both.