Solubilitást

Solubilitást refers to the ability of a substance, the solute, to dissolve in a given solvent to form a homogeneous solution. This process is influenced by the intermolecular forces between the solute and solvent molecules. Generally, "like dissolves like," meaning polar solutes tend to dissolve in polar solvents (like water), and nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents (like hexane).

The solubility of a substance is typically expressed as the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a specific amount of solvent at a given temperature and pressure. This is often measured in grams of solute per 100 grams of solvent, or in molarity (moles of solute per liter of solution). When a solution contains the maximum amount of solute it can hold at a given temperature, it is said to be saturated. A solution with less solute than saturation is unsaturated, and one with more solute than saturation, which is temporarily stable, is called supersaturated.

Several factors affect solubilitást. Temperature plays a significant role; for most solids, solubility increases with increasing temperature, while for gases, it generally decreases with increasing temperature. Pressure has a minimal effect on the solubility of solids and liquids but significantly impacts the solubility of gases in liquids, as described by Henry's Law. The presence of other solutes can also alter the solubilitást of a substance through phenomena like the common ion effect. Understanding solubilitást is crucial in various fields, including chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and environmental science, for processes like extraction, purification, and drug delivery.