Which of the following will increase the rate at which a solute dissolves? (Select all that apply.)
a
decreasing temperature
b
increasing temperature
c
increasing surface area
d
decreasing surface area
e
stirring
b, c, e
The factors that will increase the rate at which a solute dissolves are:
b. Increasing temperature - Higher temperatures generally increase the kinetic energy of particles, leading to faster dissolution.
c. Increasing surface area - Breaking the solute into smaller pieces or increasing the surface area exposes more particles to the solvent, resulting in faster dissolution.
e. Stirring - Agitating or stirring the solution increases the contact between solute and solvent, facilitating faster dissolution.
So, the correct answers are b, c, and e.
To determine which factors will increase the rate at which a solute dissolves, we can consider each option and analyze the underlying principles.
a) Decreasing temperature: Generally, decreasing temperature decreases the rate of solute dissolution. This is because lower temperatures result in slower molecular movement, which in turn reduces the contact between solvent and solute particles, slowing down the dissolution process. Therefore, decreasing temperature would not increase the rate of solute dissolution.
b) Increasing temperature: On the other hand, increasing temperature does increase the rate of solute dissolution. Higher temperatures provide more energy to the solvent particles, causing them to move faster. This increased molecular motion leads to more frequent and energetic collisions with the solute particles, facilitating their separation and faster dissolution.
c) Increasing surface area: Increasing the surface area of the solute also increases the rate of dissolution. By breaking the solute into smaller particles or increasing its surface area, more solute molecules will be exposed to the solvent. This allows for a greater number of solvent-solute collisions, speeding up the dissolution process.
d) Decreasing surface area: Conversely, decreasing the surface area of the solute will slow down the rate of dissolution. With a reduced surface area, fewer solute particles will be exposed to the solvent, limiting the number of solvent-solute collisions and impeding the dissolution process.
e) Stirring: Stirring or agitating the mixture increases the rate of solute dissolution. The mechanical action of stirring helps in maintaining a uniform distribution of solute particles in the solvent. This promotes more frequent and effective collisions between solvent and solute particles, enhancing the dissolution process.
Therefore, the factors that will increase the rate of solute dissolution are:
- Increasing temperature
- Increasing surface area
- Stirring