Chapter 13:

Solutions
Section 1: What Is a Solution?

Learning Objectives

1. Distinguish between solutions, suspensions,

and colloids
2. Describe some techniques chemists use to

separate mixtures

Mixtures

Mixtures can be separated in two main types:

Homogenous mixtures where the

particles are large enough to see under a

microscope. Also known as a solution.
Heterogeneous mixtures where the
particles are molecule-sized, so the mixture
appears uniform, even under a microscope

Suspensions

Suspensions are temporary heterogeneous

mixtures
Suspension: A mixture in which particles of a

material are more or less evenly dispersed

throughout a liquid or gas
The particles may remain mixed within the liquid

while the liquid is being stirred but later settle to

the bottom

Solutions

Solutions are stable homogenous mixtures

Solution: A homogeneous mixture of two or more

substance uniformly dispersed throughout a single
phase

When we think of solution we are often referring to

a homogenous liquid mixture:

Solvent: In a solution, the substance in which the

solute is dissolved. Water is the most common.

Solute: In a solution, the substance that is dissolved in

the solvent

Solutions

Solutions can also be solid alloys

Alloy: a metal made by combining two or more

metallic elements, especially to give greater strength
or resistance to corrosion

Brass mixture of copper and zinc

Bronze copper and tin

Steal variety of elements including: carbon, iron, sulfur

and chromium

Gold variety including silver, copper and nickel

The karat system

measures the purity of
gold:
24-karat is 100%
pure gold
18-karat gold is 18
parts gold, 6 parts
other metals
9-karat gold is 9
parts gold, 13 parts
other metals

Colloids

Colloids are stable heterogeneous mixtures

Colloid: a mixture consisting of tiny particles that are

intermediate in size between those in solutions and

those in suspensions and that are suspended in a liquid,
solid or gas
Examples:

Fog or smoke

Milk or cream

Paints

Blood

Cosmetics

Colloidal Silver

A colloid consisting of silver particles suspended in liquid

Used by physicians in the early 20th century as an antibiotic

but their use was largely discontinued in the 1940s

Since 1980s has been marketed as an alternative medicine

In humans and other animals, silver accumulates in the body

Chronic intake of silver products can result in an accumulation

of silver or silver sulfide particles in the skin.

These particles in the skin darken with exposure to sunlight,

resulting in a blue or gray discoloration of the skin known as
argyria

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
ahihGKZC5Kk

Chapter 13.1
What is a solution?

Separating Mixtures

The method we use to separate mixtures depends

on what the mixture is made up of.

In our next lab, we will be doing a number of

different separating techniques:

Filtration

Centrifugation

Simple Distillation

Chromatography

Filtration

Filtration is

typically used to
separate solids
from fluids (either
liquid or gas)
The fluid and

anything that
passes through the
filter is called the
filtrate

Examples of
filtration:
Pasta through a
colander
Ground coffee
Water filtration
Vacuum cleaner
filtering out dust
http://www.youtube.com/wat
ch?v=
Unr565H9r4o

Centrifugation

A centrifuge is used to separate substances of

different densities
The centrifuge spins rapidly and the denser

substance collect at the bottom of the tube (the

pellet)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEXWd3_fM94

Simple Distillation

Distillation can separate substances based on

their different boiling points

Heating Evaporating Cooling Condensing
Simple distillation is where the vapor is

immediately channeled into a condenser

It is less precise then other distillation methods
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aysj7696b0A

Chromatography

Chromatography: a technique for the separation of a mixture

by passing it in solution through a medium in which the
components move at different rates

Simple chromatography is carried out on paper.

A spot of the mixture is placed near the bottom of a piece of

chromatography paper and the paper is then placed upright in
a suitable solvent, eg water.

As the solvent soaks up the paper, it carries the mixtures with

it.

Different components of the mixture will move at different

rates depending on how soluble it is

http://www
.youtube.c
om/watch?v
=
J8r8hN05xX
k

Solvent
Front

Paper
Or
Solid
Phase
Black
Ink
Spot

Solvent
or
Mobile
Phase

Decanting & Evaporation

Decanting: separates a liquid from solids that

have settled. To decant, pour of the liquid

carefully, leaving the solids behind
Evaporation: separates a liquid leaving a solid

residue. E.g. saltwater ponds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMPX4sPzFCY

Chapter 13:
Solutions
Section 2: Concentration & Molarity

Concentration

In a solution, the solute is distributed evenly

throughout the solvent

This means any part of a solution has the same

ratio of solute to solvent

This ratio is the concentration of the solution
Concentration: the amount of a particular

substance in a given quantity of solution

Calculating Concentration: Parts per

million

Parts per million, ppm: number of grams of

solute in 1 million grams of solution

Often used to express very low concentrations e.g.

concentration of lead in drinking water

Calculating ppm

A chemical analysis shows that there are 2.2 mg of

lead in exactly 500 g of a water sample. Convert
this measurement to parts per million.

Molarity

Often more convenient to discuss concentration in

terms of number of particles rather than mass of
particles in solution

Molarity, M: a concentration unit of a solution

expressed as moles of solute dissolved per liter of
solution

For example, suppose there are 0.5 moles of KCl

present in 0.03 L of solution.
Molarity = 0.5 mol KCl/0.03 L solution
= 0.75 M KCl

Calculating with Molarity

Molarity is defined by the following equation:

You may encounter two main types of calculation:

1. Calculating molarity given mass of solute and

volume of solution
2. Calculating mass of solute when given molarity

and volume of solution

Calculating with Molarity

Calculating molarity given mass of solute and volume

of solution

What is the molarity of a potassium chloride solution that

has a volume of 400.0 mL and contains 85.0 g KCl?

Gather information:
Volume = 400.0 mL
Mass = 85.0 g

Convert mass to moles:

n(KCl)
= m/M
= 85.0/74.55
= 1.14 mole
Convert mL to L:
L = 400.0 mL/1000
0.4 L
Molarity = n/V:
M = 1.14/0.4
2.85 mol/L = 2.85 M

Calculating with Molarity

Calculating mass of solute when given molarity and volume

of solution
What mass of HCl is present in 45 mL of a 0.65 M

solution of hydrochloric acid?

Gather information:

Volume = 45.0 mL
Molarity = 0.65 M
Convert mL to L:
L = 45.0 mL/1000
= 0.045 L
Moles = M x V:
n = 0.65 x 0.045
= 0.02925 moles
Convert moles to mass:
m = n x Molar mass
= 0.02925 x 36.4
= 1.0647 g

Using Molarity in
Stoichiometric Calculations
What volume (ml) of a 0.500 M solution of copper(II)
sulfate, CuSO4 is needed to react with an excess of
aluminium to provide 11.0 g of copper?
3CuSO4(aq) + 2Al(s) 3Cu(s) + Al2(SO4)3(aq)

Preparing a solution of
Specified Molarity
1. Calculate the mass of solute you will need to dissolve into the solvent in

order to prepare correct molarity

2. Place solvent into small beaker a dissolve with a small amount of solvent

(often this is water)

3. Pour solution through funnel into the correct volumetric flask
4. Rinse the beaker several more times, each time pouring into the flask until

the solution almost reached the neck of the flask.

5. Stopper the flask, swirl thoroughly.
6. Carefully fill the flask with water to the mark on the neck of the volumetric

flask with a dropper

7. Restopper the flask, and invert at least 10 times to ensure complete mixing.