Question

is particle size one of the factors that affect solubility? how?

Answer 1

.The Polarity of the solute and solvent molecules will affect the solubility. Generally polar solute molecules will dissolve in polar solvents and non-polar solute molecules will dissolve in non-polar solvents. The polar solute molecules have a positive and a negative end to the molecule. If the solvent molecule is also polar, then positive ends of solvent molecules will attract negative ends of solute molecules. This is a type of intermolecular force known as dipole-dipole interaction. All molecules also have a type of intermolecular force much weaker than the other forces called London Dispersion forces where the positive nuclei of the atoms of the solute molecule will attract the negative electrons of the atoms of a solvent molecule. This gives the non-polar solvent a chance to solvate the solute molecules.
the nature of the solute and solvent -- While only 1 gram of lead (II) chloride can be dissolved in 100 grams of water at room temperature, 200 grams of zinc chloride can be dissolved. The great difference in the solubilities of the of these two substances is the the result of differences in their natures.
temperature -- Generally, an increase in the temperature of the solution increases the solubility of a solid solute. A few solid solutes, however, are less soluble in warmer solutions. For all gases, solubility decreases as the temperature of the solution rises.
pressure -- For solids and liquid solutes, changes in pressure have practically no effect on solubility. For gaseous solutes, an increase in pressure increases solubility and a decrease in pressure decreases solubility. (When the cap on a bottle of soda pop is removed, pressure is released, and the gaseous solute bubbles out of solution. This escape of a gas from solution is called effervescence.)


The rate of solution is a measure of how fast a substance dissolves. Some of the factors determining the rate of solution are: size of the particles -- When a solute dissolves, the action takes place only at the surface of each particle. When the total surface area of the solute particles is increased, the solute dissolves more rapidly. Breaking a solute into smaller pieces increases its surface area and hence its rate of solution. (Sample problem: a cube with sides 1.0 cm long is cut in half, producing two pieces with dimensions of 1.0 cm x 1.0 cm x 0.50 cm. How much greater than the surface area of the original cube is the combined surface areas of the two pieces? 2.0 cm2
stirring -- With liquid and solid solutes, stirring brings fresh portions of the solvent in contact with the solute, thereby increasing the rate of solution.
amount of solute already dissolved -- When there is little solute already in solution, dissolving takes place relatively rapidly. As the solution approaches the point where no solute can be dissolved, dissolving takes place more slowly.
temperature -- For liquids and solid solutes, increasing the temperature not only increases the amount of solute that will dissolve but also increases the rate at which the solute will dissolve. For gases, the reverse is true. An increase in temperature decreases both solubility and rate of solution.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080810084847AARqYIx

Answer 2

@igee07hm u need further explanation

Answer 3

@open_study1 for example, how does a sugar cube affect solubility? how about the grained sugar?

Answer 4

i didnt read open_study's copy paste so ill try to give you my words...
sugar is soluble thanks to its many OH groups where OH groups can form pretty strong hydrogen bonds with water, furthermore sugar cube and grained sugar are not so much different cause cubed sugar consists of "same" size crystals or grained sugar but it does affect solubility. the smaller the particle is the bigger specific surface it has... i believe you know that. that has for a consequence that more water molecules can come to surface contact with same amount of sugar (cubed, grained). so more contact surface -> faster solubility

Answer 5

@Kryten thank you! :D

Answer 6

not a problem, and here you go animation how it happens for salt so you can picture it more clearly what happens:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdedxfhcpWo