Name(s) ____________________________

Date _______________

Solubility and Temperature

Chemical Safety Information
Potassium Nitrate KNO3 Strong oxidizer and irritant

The solubility of a substance in solution normally increases as the temperature of a

solution increases. There are exceptions, such as all gases and a few solids such as cerium
selenite. In this experiment, the temperature of a substance at which a given mass is no longer
soluble will be measured and the data graphed to see a solubility vs. temperature curve.
Potassium nitrate will be used and the temperature of the solubility of 40, 70, 90, 120, and 160
g/100g water will be graphed.
This will be determined by measuring the temperature at which a given mass of KNO3
crystallizes from 5.0mL of solution. Since the solubility is normally given in g/100 g of solvent it
will be necessary to convert the data in order to graph it. This is done by multiplying the lab
value of solubility by 20.

Experimental
1. Obtain a test tube, evaporating dish and graduated cylinder.
2. Tare the evaporating dish on a balance and measure out as close as possible to the
assigned mass of KNO3 for your group.
3. Record the precise mass in the data table
4. Place the crystals into the test tube, getting as much of the powder into the tube.
5. Measure precisely 5.0 mL of distilled water using a graduated cylinder.
6. Use the 5.0 mL of water and rinse the evaporating dish into the test tube.
7. Place your clean, dry temperature probe into the test tube
8. Place the test tube into a warm water bath until all crystals dissolve. You may use the
probe to gently stir to help dissolve the crystals.
9. Remove the test tube once all are dissolved.
10. Stir constantly and record the temperature when crystal just barely start to form. This
temperature represents the value at which the concentration of potassium nitrate in the
tube is just soluble.
11. Let the tube cool until a considerable amount of crystals are formed.
12. Repeat the heating, cooling, and temperature measurement for a total of 5 trials.
13. Convert the mass of your amount of KNO3 into Mass dissolved in 100 mL
14. Average the five temperature measurements.
15. Report each of the rest of the class data in the Group Solubility Data chart.
16. Graph the class averages and draw a solubility curve

Waste Disposal: The solutions may be washed down the drain with copious amounts of water

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Name(s) ____________________________
Date _______________

Data Collection
*Use the correct number of Significant Figures for mass and Temperatures*

Solubility Data Trial #1 Trial #2 Trial #3 Trial #4 Trial #5

Mass KNO3 (g)

Mass KNO3 dissolved in

100 mL water (g)

Temperature (C)

Average Temperature
(C)

Use the proper number of Significant Figures! Remember the

multiplication and measurement rules

Group Solubility Data Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Group 4 Group 5

Mass KNO3 dissolved in
100 mL water (g)

Average Temperature
(C)

Observations:

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 Name(s) ____________________________
Date _______________

Solubility Graph:

Graph Instructions:
Title the graph accurately, and not just by the axis names

Label Axis with proper units

Graph each groups averages and draw an estimate solubility curve

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Name(s) ____________________________
Date _______________

Post-Lab Questions:
1. Describe a common problem(s) related to the fact that water is NOT completely
insoluble in gasoline.

2. Describe an environmental problem(s) related to the fact that solubility of gases in liquid
DECREASE with temperature.

3. Describe an environmental/health problem(s) involving humans related to the fact that

mercury and other heavy metals have a very LOW solubility in water.

4. If the relationship of temperature to solubility was carried out by determining how

much solute would dissolve in water at a given set of temperatures (e.g. 0, 20, 40, 60,
80, 100 C) sketch the graph likely obtained from the data of solubility and temperature
with the variable in the proper locations, and appropriate labels and approximate line.