How does temperature affect solubility?

Question

Henry Antrim · Accepted Answer

In general an increase in temperature should result in an increase in solubility.

Dissolution is a bond breaking reaction. The particle/particle interactions in the solid state must be broken and energy must be pumped in to accomplish this.

Sometimes, of course, an increase in temperature does not result in increased solubility. Common salt, sodium chloride, shows very little variation in solubility when the temperature is raised.

Solubility of gases in a liquid will decrease if the temperature of the liquid is raised.

Kai Bowman · Answer

undefined Temperature generally affects solubility in the following ways:

1. For most solid solutes in liquid solvents, solubility increases with an increase in temperature. This is because higher temperatures provide more energy for solvent molecules to break apart solute molecules and form a solution.

2. For gases dissolved in liquids, solubility usually decreases with an increase in temperature. This is because gases are less soluble in warmer liquids as increased temperature causes gas molecules to move more rapidly and escape from the liquid phase.

3. The solubility of gases in solids typically decreases with increasing temperature. This is because higher temperatures provide more energy for gas molecules to escape from the solid matrix.

These trends are not universal and can vary depending on the specific solute-solvent system and the nature of the solute and solvent molecules involved.