Welcome to the exciting world of solutions! Today, we are going to learn about solutions, solutes, and solvents in a fun and easy way. We’ll use simple examples and even try some experiments you can do at home!
A solution is a special kind of mixture where two or more substances are mixed together. In a solution, one substance, called the solute, is dissolved in another, called the solvent. Usually, the solvent is a liquid like water, and the solute can be a solid, liquid, or gas.
Let’s try a simple experiment. Take a glass of water and add some salt. Watch as the salt seems to disappear! This is called dissolving. When salt is added to water, its tiny particles spread out and mix with the water molecules. This process is called dissolution.
Both salt and sugar are examples of substances that can dissolve in water, which means they are soluble.
Not everything dissolves in water. This is where solubility comes in. Solubility is about how well a substance can dissolve in a solvent. Substances can be:
Try mixing sand with water. You’ll see that the sand doesn’t dissolve; it just sinks to the bottom. This shows that sand is insoluble in water, making it a hydrophobic substance.
Several things can affect how well a solute dissolves in a solvent:
Let’s sort some common substances based on whether they dissolve in water:
Learning about solutions, solutes, and solvents is important and fun! By doing simple experiments, we can see how different substances mix with water and learn about solubility. Whether you’re making lemonade or trying out different powders, exploring solutions is a great way to learn and have fun!
Experiment with Temperature: Try dissolving sugar in two different glasses of water—one with cold water and one with warm water. Observe which one dissolves faster. Discuss why temperature might affect how quickly the sugar dissolves. Can you think of other examples where temperature changes how things dissolve?
Solubility Scavenger Hunt: Go on a scavenger hunt around your home or classroom to find items that are soluble and insoluble in water. Make a list of the items you find and try dissolving them in water. Were there any surprises? Why do you think some items dissolved while others did not?
Create Your Own Solution: Choose a solute and a solvent from the examples given in the lesson, or find your own. Mix them together and observe what happens. Can you make a prediction before you start? After the experiment, explain what you observed and whether your prediction was correct. What did you learn about the solubility of your chosen solute?
