Which factors can affect the solubility of a substance?

Which factors can affect the solubility of a substance?

• A. Temperature and color
• B. Pressure and mass only
• C. Temperature, pressure, and nature of the solute/solvent
• D. Volume and density

Answer: (C)

The correct choice identifies the key factors that influence the solubility of a substance: temperature, pressure, and the nature of the solute and solvent. Temperature plays a significant role in solubility; for many solids, increasing the temperature typically increases solubility, allowing more solute to dissolve in the solvent. However, for gases, the trend is often reversed – higher temperatures can decrease gas solubility in liquids. Pressure is particularly relevant for the solubility of gases; an increase in pressure usually results in increased gas solubility. This is explained by Henry's Law, which states that the amount of gas that can dissolve in a liquid is directly proportional to the pressure of that gas above the liquid. Finally, the nature of the solute and solvent affects solubility dramatically because of intermolecular forces. For example, polar substances tend to dissolve well in polar solvents (like salt in water), while nonpolar substances dissolve better in nonpolar solvents (like oil in gasoline). This concept is commonly summarized by the phrase "like dissolves like." The other options do not encompass the comprehensive factors influencing solubility. Color, mass, volume, and density are not fundamental factors determining if a substance will dissolve in a given

The correct choice identifies the key factors that influence the solubility of a substance: temperature, pressure, and the nature of the solute and solvent.

Temperature plays a significant role in solubility; for many solids, increasing the temperature typically increases solubility, allowing more solute to dissolve in the solvent. However, for gases, the trend is often reversed – higher temperatures can decrease gas solubility in liquids.

Pressure is particularly relevant for the solubility of gases; an increase in pressure usually results in increased gas solubility. This is explained by Henry's Law, which states that the amount of gas that can dissolve in a liquid is directly proportional to the pressure of that gas above the liquid.

Finally, the nature of the solute and solvent affects solubility dramatically because of intermolecular forces. For example, polar substances tend to dissolve well in polar solvents (like salt in water), while nonpolar substances dissolve better in nonpolar solvents (like oil in gasoline). This concept is commonly summarized by the phrase "like dissolves like."

The other options do not encompass the comprehensive factors influencing solubility. Color, mass, volume, and density are not fundamental factors determining if a substance will dissolve in a given