Ionic Compounds: Solubility

This experiment aims to verify the solubility of ionic compounds in polar and non-polar solvents.

Like dissolves in like. Ionic compounds contain ions and hence, are soluble in polar solvents and insoluble in non-polar solvents. Water is a polar solvent while kerosene oil is a non-polar solvent. Sodium chloride and copper sulphate are soluble in water but insoluble in kerosene oil.

Let us take a look at the solubility experiment in a virtual lab.

Apparatus Required-

Test tubes
Spatula

Chemicals Required-

Sodium chloride (s)
Copper sulphate (s)
Water
Kerosene oil

To check the solubility of ionic compounds in polar and non-polar solvents, we have to follow the following procedure:

Take two test tubes, A and B.
Take water in test tube A and kerosene oil in test tube B.
Add sodium chloride to each of them.
Shake the test tubes to dissolve the salt.
Note down the solubility in an observation table.
Try to dissolve another ionic compound, such as copper sulphate in a similar manner and note the observation.

While performing the experiment, kindly follow these precautions:

Do not perform the experiment near a lit burner, as kerosene is flammable.
Use a clean and dry spatula to pick the compounds.

FAQs on Ionic Compounds: Solubility

Q1. What is solubility?

Answer: Maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature and pressure is known as solubility.

Q2. What are polar solvents?

Answer: A polar solvent is a type of solvent in which the molecules have an uneven distribution of charge, creating distinct positive and negative ends within the molecule. This charge separation leads to the formation of dipoles within the solvent molecules. In other words, polar solvents have a partial positive charge (?+) on one end and a partial negative charge (?-) on the other end. Water, alcohol, and ammonia are polar solvents.