löselig

Löselig is a term used in chemistry to describe the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent. Substances that are löselig are said to be soluble, meaning they can form a homogeneous solution when mixed with a solvent. The extent to which a substance is löselig depends on several factors, including the nature of the solute and solvent, temperature, and pressure.

Generally, "like dissolves like" is a useful rule of thumb. Polar solutes tend to dissolve in polar solvents, while nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents. For example, salt (sodium chloride), a polar ionic compound, is highly löselig in water, a polar solvent. Conversely, oil, a nonpolar substance, is not löselig in water but is löselig in nonpolar solvents like hexane.

Temperature also plays a significant role. For most solid solutes, solubility increases with increasing temperature. This is because higher temperatures provide more kinetic energy to the solvent molecules, allowing them to break apart the solute's intermolecular forces more effectively. For gaseous solutes, however, solubility typically decreases as temperature increases.

Pressure is primarily a factor for the solubility of gases in liquids. According to Henry's Law, the solubility of a gas in a liquid is directly proportional to the partial pressure of that gas above the liquid. This is why carbonated beverages are bottled under pressure; it increases the amount of dissolved carbon dioxide.

The term "löselig" encompasses a range of solubility. Some substances are highly löselig, meaning large amounts can dissolve. Others are sparingly löselig, dissolving only to a small extent. Substances that do not dissolve at all are considered insoluble.