Name _______________________________________________________ Hour _____________
Solubility Curve Lab
Purpose: Use the SOLUBILITY curve for KNO3 to determine what happens to solubility as the temperature
increases.
Information:
The maximum amount of solute that will dissolve in a given amount of solvent is called its solubility.
What factors determine the solubility of a substance? The identity of the solute, the identity of the solvent
and temperature all affect solubility.
In this investigation, you will study the relationship between the solubility of potassium nitrate (KNO 3)
and the temperature of the water solvent. Different amounts of KNO3 will be dissolved in a given amount of
water at a temperature close to its boiling point. You will observe each solution as it cools and note the
temperature at which crystallization occurs. Crystallization indicates a saturated solution, or one that
contains the maximum amount of KNO3 in that amount of water.
1. Define solubility:
2. The ___________________________ is being dissolved and the ___________________ does the dissolving.
3. What is the molarity equation? __________________________
4. Convert 10 mL to L. ____________
5. Solubility depends upon three factors: the identity of the solvent, the identity of the solute, and the
temperature of the solution. Read through the information section to determine which one we are
varying in this investigation. ________________________
Procedure:
1. You will have 4 labeled test tubes that contain the following:
A. 10 mL of water and 11 grams of KNO3
B. 10 mL of water and 8 grams of KNO3
C. 10 mL of water and 6 grams of KNO3
D. 10 mL of water and 4 grams of KNO3
2. Fill a beaker 2/3 of the way with water and place it on the hot plate.
3. Place the 4 test tubes in the beaker.
4. Heat the water until it is 80-90 °C and all of the KNO3 dissolves.
5. Remove the 4 test tubes from the beaker with tongs and place them in a test tube rack.
6. Place the thermometer in test tube A and RECORD the temperature at which you first notice the
clear liquid becoming cloudy as crystals form in the solution.
7. Quickly wipe off the thermometer and place it in test tube B and RECORD the temperature at
which you first notice the liquid forming crystals.
8. Repeat for test tube C and D. RECORD each temperature!
Pre-Lab Questions:
1. What is the solute in the experiment? ______________ What is the solvent? _______________
2. Calculate the molar mass of KNO3. _____________________
3. Calculate the moles of KNO3 in each of the 4 test tubes.
A: B: C: D:
4. Calculate the molarity (M) of the KNO3 solution in each of the 4 test tubes.
A: B: C: D:
Name _______________________________________________________ Hour _____________
Solubility Curve Lab
5. In test tube A you placed 11 grams of KNO3 into 10 mL of water. Use the ratio below to figure out
how many grams of KNO3 would have to be dissolved in 100 mL of water to give the same
concentration and record in the far right column of the data table.
6. Repeat step 5 for test tubes B, C, and D with their starting amounts. 11 = x__
10 100
Data Table:
TEST TUBE Temp at which solute Grams of KNO3 per Calculate grams of
first forms crystals (°C) 10 mL of water KNO3 per 100 mL of
water
A 11
B 8
C 6
D 4
GRAPH:
1. Create a graph of your data. Use the vertical axis for grams of KNO3 per 100 mL of water (range of
0 - 110) and the horizontal axis for temperature in °C (range 0 - 80˚C).
2. Plot your 4 points on the graph.
3. Start at the origin and make a smooth curved line that includes as many of the points as possible.
This is the solubility curve for KNO3.
POST LAB ANALYSIS:
4. Describe the shape of the solubility curve for KNO3. ____________________________________
5. Looking at your graph, what effect did temperature have on the solubility of KNO3?
6. Use your graph to determine how many grams of KNO3 would dissolve in 100 mL of water at 10 °C.
7. At 10 °C the accepted value for the solubility of KNO3 is 21 g per 100 mL of water. Calculate a %
error using your estimated amount from #6 as your experimental value.
8. At 50 °C the accepted value for the solubility of KNO3 is 83 g per 100 mL of water. Use your graph
to calculate a % error.
9. Why does shaking/stirring/crushing a substance help it dissolve faster?
10. Why does adding heat help a substance dissolve faster?
