Materials testing: solubility

Investigating which materials dissolve in water and how temperature affects solubility

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Try each question. If you're stuck, leave it and come back. The answer key is on the last page.

1
What does it mean if a material is soluble? A) It dissolves to make a solution B) It sinks to the bottom of the water C) It floats on the water D) It turns into a gas
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2
True or false? Salt is soluble in water. A) True B) False
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3
True or false? Sand is soluble in water. A) True B) False
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4
What does soluble mean? A) Able to dissolve in a liquid B) Magnetic C) Made of metal D) Floating
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5
Put these steps for making a salt solution in order. Put these in order: Pour water into a beaker, Add a spoonful of salt, Stir until the salt disappears, Observe the clear solution
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6
True or false? Oil is insoluble in water - it does not dissolve in it. A) True B) False
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7
True or false? More sugar usually dissolves in hot water than in cold water. A) True B) False
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8
What is a saturated solution? A) A solution that cannot dissolve any more solute at that temperature B) A solution that has just started dissolving C) A solution that is very cold D) A solution that has been stirred a lot
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9
Put these words in the order they fit: ___ + ___ = ___ Put these in order: solute, solvent, solution
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10
Which method would you use to get the salt back from a salt solution? A) Evaporating the water B) Filtering through paper C) Sieving D) Pouring it carefully
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Answer key

Materials testing: solubility · for parents and teachers

1
It dissolves to make a solution
A soluble material dissolves in a liquid to form a solution. You can no longer see the solid - it has spread out evenly in the liquid.
2
True
True. Salt dissolves in water to make a clear salty solution. The salt is still there, just spread out evenly.
3
False
False. Sand is insoluble - it does not dissolve. It sinks and stays as separate grains, even after stirring.
4
Able to dissolve in a liquid
Soluble means a substance can dissolve in a liquid (the solvent), forming a clear mixture (solution).
5
Pour water into a beaker, Add a spoonful of salt, Stir until the salt disappears, Observe the clear solution
Add the solvent (water), then the solute (salt), then stir until it dissolves. The end result is a clear solution.
6
True
True. Oil is insoluble in water - it doesn't dissolve and instead floats on top. Sugar, salt and coffee all dissolve.
7
True
True. Higher temperatures usually mean more solute can dissolve. That's why hot tea dissolves sugar more quickly than cold water.
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A solution that cannot dissolve any more solute at that temperature
A saturated solution is one in which no more solute (e.g. salt or sugar) will dissolve. Any extra solid sinks to the bottom.
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solute, solvent, solution
The solute (e.g. salt) dissolves in the solvent (e.g. water) to make a solution.
10
Evaporating the water
Because salt is dissolved it passes through filter paper. Evaporating the water leaves the salt behind.