The solubility of a solid is more affected by which factor?

Prepare for the DIVE Chemistry Quarterly Exam 3 with practice questions including multiple choice and flashcards. Each question provides hints and explanations for thorough understanding. Get ready for your Chemistry exam!

The solubility of a solid in a solvent is primarily influenced by temperature. As temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the molecules in the solvent also increases. This heightened energy allows solvent molecules to more effectively interact with and separate the solid particles, facilitating a greater dissolution rate. Essentially, higher temperatures tend to increase the solubility of many solids, allowing more of the solid substance to dissolve in the liquid.

While concentration, pressure, and surface area can play roles in the solubility process, their impacts are not as significant as that of temperature. For example, concentration pertains to how much solute is already present in the solution and does not inherently change the solubility limit of the solute itself. Pressure has a more pronounced effect on gases rather than solids, and surface area pertains mostly to kinetics rather than solubility, influencing how quickly a solid dissolves rather than the maximum amount that can dissolve at a given temperature. Thus, the factor that most significantly affects the solubility of a solid is temperature.

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