EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION 18.1 How can we test if a substance is soluble or insoluble?
Equipment Mass balance
Weigh boats Graduated cylinder
Method
1. Use the mass balance to measure out 2 g of salt (or another chosen substance) into a weigh boat.
2. Using a graduated cylinder, place 40 cm3 of water in a beaker.
3. Place the substance being tested into the beaker of water. 4. Stir the mixture. 5. Record your observations. 6. Follow steps 1–5 with different substances.
SAFETY • Clean up any spills immediately.
Beaker
Glass stirring rod Water
Suggested substances to test Salt Sand Sugar
Chalk Oil Tea leaves
Candle wax Instant coffee Coffee beans
Substance to test
Glass stirring rod
Beaker Water :Fig. 18.2 To test if a substance is soluble or insoluble j Go to page 46 of your Experimental Investigations Log to write up this investigation. Solubility
Solubility is a measure of the amount of a solute that dissolves in a fixed volume of solvent.
The amount of a solute that can dissolve in a solvent depends on three things:
1. The nature of the substance. Is the substance soluble, partially soluble or insoluble?
2. The volume of the solvent. 3. The temperature of the solvent.