liuotettavuus

Liuotettavuus refers to the ability of a substance, the solute, to dissolve in another substance, the solvent, forming a solution. This process is governed by the principle of "like dissolves like," meaning polar solutes tend to dissolve in polar solvents, and nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents. For example, salt, a polar ionic compound, readily dissolves in water, a polar solvent. Conversely, oil, a nonpolar substance, will not dissolve in water but will dissolve in nonpolar solvents like hexane.

The extent to which a solute dissolves in a solvent is quantified by its solubility, typically expressed as the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature and pressure. Solubility is an equilibrium property. When the solution contains the maximum amount of dissolved solute, it is said to be saturated. If more solute is added to a saturated solution, it will not dissolve and will remain as a separate phase.

Several factors influence solubility, including temperature, pressure, and the presence of other substances. For solids, solubility generally increases with increasing temperature, although there are exceptions. For gases, solubility typically decreases as temperature increases. Pressure significantly affects the solubility of gases in liquids; higher pressure leads to higher solubility, as described by Henry's Law. The presence of other solutes can also alter the solubility of a particular substance, a phenomenon known as the common ion effect.