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The Solubility of Ionic Solids and Molecular Liquids
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Abstract
Solubility is a ubiquitous concept in chemistry, but usually only sparingly soluble salts are examined in the introductory chemistry laboratory. With this two-part experiment, students study more common solubility phenomena. First, solubilities of three ionic salts (NaCl, PbCl2, and KAl(SO4)2.12H2O) in water are measured at four temperatures. The concept of recrystallization is introduced as students cool a high-temperature solution and observe crystal formation. Class data are pooled and students are expected to identify and exclude poor data. Spreadsheet calculations are performed with the group data, which are then graphed, and students observe the wide variance in solubility behavior for the three salts. In the second part of the experiment, water and six organic liquids are mixed pairwise in all possible combinations to determine which pairs are miscible. Dielectric constants are provided for each liquid as a measure of polarity and students are asked to discuss their observed solubilities in terms of polarity. The common rule of "like dissolves like" is found to be less than satisfactory as a description of liquid solubility behavior if too narrowly interpreted.
Keywords (Audience):
High School / Introductory ChemistryKeywords (Domain):
Laboratory InstructionKeywords (Pedagogy):
Hands-On Learning / ManipulativesKeywords (Subject):
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This article has been cited by 2 ACS Journal articles (2 most recent appear below).
Solubility Studies of Organic Compounds for Nonscience Majors
Mariella PassarelliJournal of Chemical Education2009 86 (7), 845Solubility Studies of Organic Compounds for Nonscience Majors
Mariella PassarelliJournal of Chemical Education2009 86 (7), 845Organic compounds with varying structure and functional groups are mixed with water and with each other in order for students to formulate a theory about the molecular basis of solubility. The exercise is designed as a guided-inquiry lab for an ...
Integrating Advanced High School Chemistry Research with Organic Chemistry and Instrumental Methods of Analysis
Brian J. KennedyJournal of Chemical Education2008 85 (3), 393Integrating Advanced High School Chemistry Research with Organic Chemistry and Instrumental Methods of Analysis
Brian J. KennedyJournal of Chemical Education2008 85 (3), 393This paper describes and discusses the unique chemistry course opportunities beyond the advanced placement-level available at a science and technology magnet high school. Students may select entry-level courses such as honors and advanced placement ...
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- Received: August 03, 2009
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