Testing Solubility
Sugar vs. Salt in Water
Explore how different substances dissolve in water. Compare the solubility of sugar and salt, and see how temperature affects the process. Try stirring and heating the water!
Observation:
Water is ready for testing solubility. Add sugar or salt to begin.
The Science Behind Solubility
What is Solubility?
Solubility is the ability of a substance (solute) to dissolve in a solvent (usually water):
- Depends on molecular structure and polarity
- Affected by temperature and stirring
- Different substances have different solubility limits
Sugar vs. Salt:
Key differences in how these common substances dissolve:
- Sugar (sucrose): Polar molecular structure dissolves well in water
- Salt (NaCl): Ionic compound dissociates into Na+ and Cl- ions in water
- At room temperature, salt is slightly more soluble than sugar
- When heated, sugar's solubility increases more dramatically than salt's
Factors Affecting Solubility:
- Temperature: Higher temperatures generally increase solubility
- Stirring: Helps distribute solute particles faster
- Surface area: Finer powders dissolve faster than large crystals
