When temperature is increased, what generally happens to the solubility of solids in liquids?

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!

When temperature is increased, the solubility of most solid solutes in liquids typically increases. This phenomenon occurs because higher temperatures provide more kinetic energy to the molecules involved in the dissolution process. As a result, solvent molecules can interact more effectively with solute molecules, breaking apart the solute's solid structure and allowing more solute to dissolve into the solvent.

In many cases, the dissolution process is endothermic, meaning it absorbs heat. As temperature rises, the system has the necessary energy to overcome the interactions between solute particles, facilitating a greater amount of solute to enter the solution.

While there might be some exceptions for certain solutes, the general rule is that for most solid solutes, increasing temperature enhances their solubility in liquid solvents. This fundamental understanding of solubility is crucial in both theoretical and practical applications in chemistry, such as in preparing solutions, conducting reactions, and understanding behaviors in various chemical processes.

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