Which factor increases the rate of solubility of a solid in a liquid?

Prepare for the Comprehensive Biology and Human Body Systems Test. Enhance your learning with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question provides hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The factor that increases the rate of solubility of a solid in a liquid is stirring the mixture. Stirring helps to distribute the solute (the solid) more evenly throughout the solvent (the liquid). This increased movement allows more solute particles to come into contact with the solvent molecules, thereby facilitating the dissolution process. As a result, the solid dissolves more quickly.

When solids are stirred into a liquid, the forces between solute particles are overcome more efficiently, leading to a higher rate of solubility. This principle is often observed in everyday experiences, such as when making a solution of sugar in water; stirring the mixture speeds up how fast the sugar dissolves.

In contrast, lower temperatures generally slow down molecular movement, which can reduce solubility for many solids. Decreased surface area of the solid limits the amount of solute that is in contact with the solvent, hindering dissolution. Lastly, pressure generally affects gases more than solids regarding solubility; thus, lower pressure would not significantly influence the solubility rate of a solid in a liquid.

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