The solubility of gases in water decreases with increasing water temperature
True or False
Most gases dissolve more as the temperature of the water decreases.
To understand why the solubility of gases in water decreases with increasing water temperature, we need to consider the basic principles of gas solubility.
When a gas dissolves in water, it forms intermolecular bonds with water molecules. These bonds allow the gas molecules to become dispersed throughout the water. The solubility of a gas depends on the balance between two opposing processes: dissolution and escape.
At lower temperatures, water molecules are closer together, and their intermolecular forces are stronger. This enables more gas molecules to dissolve in the water because the gas molecules can interact more easily with the water molecules. However, as the water temperature increases, the average kinetic energy of the water molecules also increases.
The increased kinetic energy causes the water molecules to move more vigorously and disrupt the intermolecular bonds between the gas molecules and water. This increased motion reduces the chances for gas molecules to dissolve in the water. Additionally, the escaping tendency of the gas molecules from the liquid phase to the gas phase increases with temperature.
In summary, as the water temperature increases, the energy of water molecules increases, causing them to move more rapidly and weakening the intermolecular forces that hold the gas molecules in solution. This results in a decrease in the solubility of gases in water as the gas molecules are more likely to escape from the water and return to the gas phase.
To experimentally determine the effect of temperature on the solubility of gases in water, you could perform the following steps:
1. Choose a gas and a water sample.
2. Measure the initial temperature of the water.
3. Introduce a known amount of the gas into the water and allow it to dissolve.
4. Stir the solution to aid in the dissolving process.
5. Measure the solubility of the gas by determining the concentration of the dissolved gas in the water.
6. Heat the water and repeat steps 3-5, recording the solubility of the gas at the higher temperature.
7. Compare the solubility of the gas at different temperatures to observe the decrease in solubility as the temperature increases.
By conducting such an experiment, you can validate the statement that the solubility of gases in water decreases with increasing water temperature.