What factor(s) affect both the solubility and rate of dissolution of a solid?

Question

Luna Chen · Accepted Answer

Well, there are probably three important factors that we can identify....

#(i)# #"Intrinsic solubility"#, and this is something to be determined by experiment. You know the old story...#"like dissolves like."# Water is an exceptional solvent, and will dissolve most solutes to some degree (but usually you can never get them out of solution!). For organic solutes, ethanol is the first solvent generally tested...most organic solutes have good solubility in hot ethanol, but poorer solubility in cold ethanol - precisely what we want in a recrystallizing solvent.

#(ii)# #"temperature"#, given that dissolution involves the BREAKING of solute-solute bonds, a hot solvent should be capable of solvating more solute. And this is what is performed in a recrystallization experiment, in which a solute is taken up in a minimum of HOT solvent, the solution quickly filtered, and the filtrate allowed to stand undisturbed while the crystals deposit at lower temperature as the solution cools.

#(iii)# #"particle size"#, this is a kinetic issue, but, clearly, the rate of dissolution will be affected by the particle size of the solute....larger particles will give a SLOWER rate of dissolution. Sometimes, you place a spoonful of granulated sugar in your cuppa, and the hot tea dissolves the solute without stirring. If you place a sugar lump in your tea (and of course you only do this when you entertaining the gentry, and put out the good tea service and the cucumber sandwiches), and if you don't stir, sometimes after you drain your tea there will be some of the sugar lump left undissolved..

Henry Antrim · Answer

undefined Factors affecting both the solubility and rate of dissolution of a solid include:

1. Temperature: Generally, an increase in temperature increases solubility and the rate of dissolution, as it provides more energy for particles to overcome intermolecular forces.
2. Surface area: Finely powdered solids dissolve more quickly than coarse solids because they have a greater surface area available for interaction with the solvent.
3. Stirring or agitation: Agitating or stirring the solution increases the rate of dissolution by maintaining a concentration gradient at the solid-solvent interface.
4. Nature of solvent: Solubility and rate of dissolution can vary depending on the polarity, viscosity, and other properties of the solvent.
5. Pressure (for gases): For gases dissolving in liquids, an increase in pressure typically increases solubility and the rate of dissolution, following Henry's law.