Factors Affecting Solvation

Front

Solvation Noun

---

[sol-vay-shun]

Back

Solvation

---

The process of surrounding solute particles with solvent particles to form a solution.

---

Example: This diagram shows how polar solvent molecules surround and stabilize charged solute ions, with negative ends attracting positive ions and positive ends attracting negative ions.

Front

Solute Noun

---

[sol-yoot]

Back

Solute

---

A substance that is dissolved in a solvent to form a homogeneous mixture called a solution.

---

Example: This diagram shows a solute, the substance represented by white particles, being dissolved in a solvent to form a solution.

Front

Solvent Noun

---

[sol-vent]

Back

Solvent

---

The substance in which a solute dissolves to form a solution, typically present in the largest amount.

---

Example: This diagram shows a solution at the particle level. The solvent is the substance present in the larger amount (blue particles) that dissolves the other substance (solute).

Front

Polar Molecule Noun

---

[poh-ler mol-uh-kyool]

Back

Polar Molecule

---

A molecule with an uneven distribution of electric charge, resulting in slightly positive and slightly negative ends.

---

Example: In a water molecule, electrons are shared unevenly, gathering more around the oxygen atom (making it negative) and less around the hydrogen atoms (making them positive).

Front

Aqueous Solution Noun

---

[ay-kwee-us suh-loo-shun]

Back

Aqueous Solution

---

A homogeneous mixture where the solvent is water, which is a very common type of solution in chemistry.

---

Example: Polar water molecules surround and separate the positive cations and negative anions from a solid, dissolving it to form an aqueous solution.

Front

Hydrated Ions Noun

---

[hy-dray-ted eye-ons]

Back

Hydrated Ions

---

Ions that have become surrounded by polar water molecules within an aqueous solution during the process of solvation.

---

Example: A positive ion (like sodium, Na+) in water attracts the partially negative oxygen atoms of water molecules, causing them to surround the ion.

Front

Insoluble Adjective

---

[in-sol-yuh-bul]

Back

Insoluble

---

A property of a substance that makes it incapable of being dissolved in a specific solvent to form a solution.

---

Example: This diagram shows that sand and olive oil are insoluble because they do not dissolve in water, instead forming separate, distinct layers.

Front

Heat of Solution Noun

---

[heet ov suh-loo-shun]

Back

Heat of Solution

---

The overall energy change, either absorbed or released, that occurs during the formation of a solution.

---

Example: This image shows an instant hot pack and an instant cold pack, which are real-world examples of exothermic and endothermic heat of solution, respectively.

Front

Endothermic Adjective

---

[en-doh-thur-mik]

Back

Endothermic

---

A process or reaction that absorbs energy from its surroundings, often resulting in a decrease in temperature.

---

Example: This diagram shows a chemical process where heat energy from the surroundings is absorbed by the reactants to form products, defining an endothermic reaction.

Front

Exothermic Adjective

---

[ek-soh-thur-mik]

Back

Exothermic

---

A process or reaction that releases energy into its surroundings, often resulting in an increase in temperature.

---

Example: This diagram shows an exothermic process where a system, like a chemical reaction in a beaker, releases heat into its surroundings, causing it to warm up.