Effect of Temperature on Solubility — Overview & Examples

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Temperature and Solubility

Temperature conditions affect solubility. When solubility measurements are taken they are reported along with the temperature at the time of dissolution.

Typically, as temperature increases, the solubility of solids increases.

Gases become less soluble as temperature increases.

Temperature and Solid Solubility

Have you ever seen someone had sugar to an iced tea? If you have you would have seen undissolved sugar in the bottom of the glass. Sugar is pretty soluble in water (the solvent of tea) however when it is cold, the sugar doesn't dissolve as well. If heated, the molecules of the sugar would gain energy and move around more. This increases the solubility of the sugar in the tea. If the tea is heated and sugar is then added, the tea transfer it's heat to the sugar helping it to dissolve.

Temperature and Gas Solubility

Let's think critically about why gasses become less soluble as temperature increases. As a gas is heated, it gains energy. This energy causes the movement of gas molecules to increase. In a gas form, the molecules move around a lot, the added elegy increases the movement. The movement increases enough that keeping a gas in solution becomes more difficult. Think about a can of soda. If opened and left at room temperature the CO2CO_2 bubbles will come out of solution, making it flat. If stored in the fridge, the soda will stay carbonated longer.

Video

(Video) Temperature and Solubility: Solids and Gases

by Tyler DeWitt

In this video, Tyler DeWitt connects solubility and temperature. You'll learn the trends for solids and gases. He uses the example of sugar dissolved in coffee and soda to illustrate the trends. In the end, he shows you how this applies to environmental systems. This is a great video that will help you understand solubility!

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