If a substance is solubleAble to dissolve in solvent. For example, sugar is soluble in water because it dissolves to form sugar solution. it will dissolve in a given amount of liquid, called the ‘solventThe liquid in which the solute dissolves to form a solution.’.
When no more solute can be dissolved in a solvent the solution is said to be saturated.
Each different substance has a different solubility. This table shows the solubility of substances in water at 20°C. Solubility is shown as the grams of a solute per 100 g of water.
Solute
Solubility
Sodium chloride
35.9
Copper(II) sulfate
32
Sodium hydrogencarbonate
10
Lead(II) iodide
0.07
Lead(II) nitrate
54
Solute
Sodium chloride
Solubility
35.9
Solute
Copper(II) sulfate
Solubility
32
Solute
Sodium hydrogencarbonate
Solubility
10
Solute
Lead(II) iodide
Solubility
0.07
Solute
Lead(II) nitrate
Solubility
54
Determining solubility
To work out the solubility of a solid in water the following procedure is used.
Measure accurately 100 cm3 of water and add to a beaker
Add small amounts of the solute until no more can dissolve
Record the mass of an evaporating dish
Filter the mixture so the undissolved solid is left behind and the solution is in the evaporating dish
Remove the water by heating or evaporation
Weigh the evaporating dish with the solute in it and calculate the mass of the solute that was dissolved
