löslich

Löslich is a German word that translates to "soluble" in English. It refers to the ability of a substance, known as the solute, to dissolve in another substance, the solvent, to form a homogeneous solution. This process is a fundamental concept in chemistry and is crucial for many natural and industrial processes.

The degree of solubility of a substance is determined by several factors, including temperature, pressure, and the chemical properties of both the solute and the solvent. For example, most solid solutes become more soluble in liquids as the temperature increases, while the solubility of gases in liquids generally decreases with increasing temperature. The principle of "like dissolves like" is also important; polar solutes tend to dissolve in polar solvents, and nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents.

Solubility is quantitatively expressed as the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature and pressure, often measured in grams per liter or moles per liter. A solution that contains the maximum amount of solute is called a saturated solution. If more solute is added to a saturated solution, it will not dissolve and will typically precipitate out.

The concept of solubility is vital in various fields, including pharmaceuticals, where it affects drug absorption; environmental science, where it influences the fate of pollutants; and food science, where it plays a role in the formulation of beverages and other products.