Solutions Cheat Sheet

Key Definitions

• Solution: A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. ✅

• Solvent: The substance that dissolves a solute. ✅

• Solute: The substance that is dissolved in a solvent. ✅

• Concentration: Amount of solute in a given volume of solution. ✅

Important Concepts

Types of Solutions

• Unsaturated Solution: Contains less solute than can be dissolved. ✅

• Saturated Solution: Contains the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve at a given temperature. ✅

• Supersaturated Solution: Contains more solute than can normally dissolve at that temperature. ⚠️

Factors Affecting Solubility

• Temperature: Generally, solubility increases with temperature for solids. ✅

• Pressure: Affects gas solubility; higher pressure increases solubility. ✅

• Nature of Solute and Solvent: "Like dissolves like" principle. ✅

Key Formulas

• C: Concentration (mol/L) ✅

• n: Number of moles of solute ✅

• V: Volume of solution (L) ✅

M = m/MV

• M: Molarity (mol/L) ✅

• m: Mass of solute (g) ✅

• MV: Molar mass of solute (g/mol) ✅

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Common Mistake: Confusing molarity (M) with molality (m); M is moles per liter, m is moles per kg of solvent.

Memory Tricks

Tip: "Silly Students Prefer To Cry" —

• S: Solvent

• S: Solute

• P: Pressure

• T: Temperature

• C: Concentration

Key Diagrams

       +------------------+
       |                  |
       |    Solvent       |
       |                  |
       +------------------+
              |
              | Dissolving
              V
       +------------------+
       |                  |
       |      Solution    |
       |                  |
       +------------------+