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Asked by to Daren, Lynne, Phillip, Simon on 17 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
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Daren Fearon answered on 17 Jun 2014:
In solids the molecules are packed very tightly together, where as in liquids the molecules are free to move. When something dissolves the molecules from the liquid and the solid mix together and the space between the molecules of the solid increases. The molecules from the solid can also become surrounded by molecules of the liquid.
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Lynne Thomas answered on 17 Jun 2014:
When you dissolve a solid in a liquid you are essentially diluting it. How soluble something is in a given liquid depends on the balance between a molecule preferring to sit next to something of its own type or to sit next to a molecule from the liquid. Once you dissolve enough of a solid in the liquid, it will reach a point of supersaturation and then you can’t dissolve any more. This amount is different for different solids and different liquids.
Actually the hand warmers that you can buy contain a supersaturated solution of sodium acetate so when you click the metal disk in them, it causes the solid to come out of solution right away (or crystallise) and it gives out heat in the process as it is happier being a solid!
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anon answered on 18 Jun 2014:
A solid is lots of molecules packed close together. When you dissolve something, all the molecules are broken apart and surrounded by a shell of liquid molecules. The solid molecules are still there, but they’re surrounded by so many liquid molecules and so spread out that you see the liquid rather than the solid.
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Phillip Manning answered on 18 Jun 2014:
The molecular bonds that hold solids together vary upon the structure and composition of a solid. Some require more energy to break these bonds, than others. So, it depends what is the solid that you want to dissolve.
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