Back to homeAP® Chemistry · AP Chemistry · Change subject
Start for free
AP Chem · AP® Chemistry
Chemical reactions · Gases and solutions

Solutions and their properties

Before you start, make sure you know: Solutions (Chemistry (high school))
Before you start, make sure you know: Calculations with moles (Chemistry (high school))

In Chemistry you measured concentration as mass percent and grams per liter. In a real chemistry laboratory, however, what matters almost always is not how many grams there are, but how many particles (molecules or ions) there are, because it is the particles that react, that cross a membrane, or that lower the freezing point of the water in a car's radiator during a Minnesota winter. That is why in AP Chemistry concentration is usually expressed in moles per liter: molarity.

Molarity: concentration in moles per liter

If you dissolve $58.5\ \text{g}$ of table salt (NaCl) in water and $180\ \text{g}$ of glucose ($\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6$) in another beaker, the balance shows very different masses, yet both containers hold the same amount of substance ($1\ \text{mol}$ of NaCl formula units and $1\ \text{mol}$ of glucose molecules; however, when dissolved, the NaCl separates into $2\ \text{mol}$ of ions): how can we express concentration so as to compare the real number of molecules or ions present per liter, and not just their mass?

Volumetric flask with one liter of solution made up to the mark and four solute particles, illustrating molarity as moles per liter. Molarity: moles of solute per liter 4 solute particles in 1 L (each particle = 1 mol) 1 L graduation mark solute particles M = 4 mol / 1 L = 4 mol/L
Practice★☆☆Not started
In the lab, $0.5\ \text{mol}$ of sodium chloride is dissolved in water to make $2\ \text{L}$ of solution. a) Write the formula for molarity. b) Calculate the molarity of…

In the lab, $0.5\ \text{mol}$ of sodium chloride is dissolved in water to make $2\ \text{L}$ of solution.

  1. a) Write the formula for molarity.
  2. b) Calculate the molarity of the solution.
Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
A solution of sodium hydroxide, $\text{NaOH}$, is $0.4\ \text{M}$. Data: molar mass of $\text{NaOH}$, $40\ \text{g/mol}$. a) How many moles of $\text{NaOH}$ are in…

A solution of sodium hydroxide, $\text{NaOH}$, is $0.4\ \text{M}$. Data: molar mass of $\text{NaOH}$, $40\ \text{g/mol}$.

  1. a) How many moles of $\text{NaOH}$ are in $250\ \text{mL}$ of that solution?
  2. b) How many grams of $\text{NaOH}$ is this?
Solve
Practice★☆☆Not started
State whether each statement is true or false and justify your answer: a) If half of a solution is transferred to another beaker, the molarity in each beaker is half of…

State whether each statement is true or false and justify your answer:

  1. a) If half of a solution is transferred to another beaker, the molarity in each beaker is half of what it was at the beginning.
  2. b) If the volume of a solution is halved by evaporating water, its molarity doubles.
  3. c) Two solutions of different solutes can have the same molarity and, at the same time, different masses of solute per liter.
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
A patient needs to receive $0.05\ \text{mol}$ of glucose intravenously and a $0.5\ \text{M}$ glucose solution is available. Given: molar mass of glucose,…

A patient needs to receive $0.05\ \text{mol}$ of glucose intravenously and a $0.5\ \text{M}$ glucose solution is available. Given: molar mass of glucose, $180\ \text{g/mol}$.

  1. a) What volume of solution, in liters, contains that amount of glucose? Express it in milliliters as well.
  2. b) How many grams of glucose does the patient receive?
Solve

Preparing a solution in the lab

On a lab practical or an AP free-response question, you are often asked not only for the numbers but also for the procedure: which apparatus, in what order, and why.

Practice★☆☆Not started
To prepare $100\ \text{mL}$ of a $0.5\ \text{M}$ sodium carbonate solution, $5.3\ \text{g}$ of solute must be weighed out. Put the following laboratory procedure steps…

To prepare $100\ \text{mL}$ of a $0.5\ \text{M}$ sodium carbonate solution, $5.3\ \text{g}$ of solute must be weighed out. Put the following laboratory procedure steps in order (they are currently mixed up) and explain what is done in each step:

  1. a) Make up to the mark on the neck of the flask with distilled water.
  2. b) Weigh the solute using the balance.
  3. c) Dissolve the solute in a beaker with a small amount of water.
  4. d) Transfer to the $100\ \text{mL}$ volumetric flask and add water almost up to the mark.

In addition, explain what "making up to the mark" means and why the volumetric flask is the appropriate piece of equipment. The figure shows the volumetric flask and, magnified, the detail of making up to the mark on the neck.

100 mL graduation mark mark meniscus
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
$20\ \text{g}$ of sodium hydroxide, $\text{NaOH}$, are dissolved in water to make up $500\ \text{mL}$ of solution. Given: molar mass of $\text{NaOH}$,…

$20\ \text{g}$ of sodium hydroxide, $\text{NaOH}$, are dissolved in water to make up $500\ \text{mL}$ of solution. Given: molar mass of $\text{NaOH}$, $40\ \text{g/mol}$.

  1. a) How many moles are the $20\ \text{g}$ of $\text{NaOH}$?
  2. b) Express the volume in liters and calculate the molarity of the solution.
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
You are asked to prepare $200\ \text{mL}$ of a $1\ \text{M}$ solution of potassium chloride, $\text{KCl}$. Given: molar mass of $\text{KCl}$, $74.5\ \text{g/mol}$. a)…

You are asked to prepare $200\ \text{mL}$ of a $1\ \text{M}$ solution of potassium chloride, $\text{KCl}$. Given: molar mass of $\text{KCl}$, $74.5\ \text{g/mol}$.

  1. a) How many moles of $\text{KCl}$ do you need?
  2. b) What mass should you weigh?
  3. c) Describe the complete laboratory procedure, naming the apparatus (balance, beaker, volumetric flask…) and the moment when it is made up to the mark.
Solve

Parts per million: very small concentrations

One kilogram of water, equivalent to a million milligrams, shown as a bar; a very thin strip at the end represents 1 mg of solute, that is, 1 ppm. 1 kg of water (= 1,000,000 mg) 1 mg of solute = 1 ppm 1 ppm = 1 mg per kg of solution

Diluting and mixing molar solutions

In the laboratory, commercial acids are supplied very concentrated (such as hydrochloric acid at $37\ \% \approx 12\ \text{M}$), but for practical work low concentrations such as $0.1\ \text{M}$ or $0.5\ \text{M}$ are almost always needed: what exact volume of solvent must you add to lower the concentration without altering the amount of solute?

Dilution of 10 mL of 2 M HCl: 90 mL of water are added in a volumetric flask up to the 100 mL mark, giving 0.2 M HCl with the same number of solute particles, 0.02 mol. State 1 Concentrated HCl State 2 Dilute HCl M₁ = 2 M V₁ = 10 mL + 90 mL of water made up to 100 mL graduation mark M₂ = 0.2 M V₂ = 100 mL total volume solute particles (the same in both containers) n = M₁·V₁ = 2 M × 0.010 L = 0.020 mol = M₂·V₂
Practice★★☆Not started
$10\ \text{mL}$ of a hydrochloric acid solution, $\text{HCl}$, $2\ \text{M}$ are taken and water is added to make up $100\ \text{mL}$ of solution. Observe the diagram of…

$10\ \text{mL}$ of a hydrochloric acid solution, $\text{HCl}$, $2\ \text{M}$ are taken and water is added to make up $100\ \text{mL}$ of solution. Observe the diagram of the dilution.

10 mL HCl 2 M + water 100 mL M₂ = ?
  1. a) How many moles of $\text{HCl}$ did the initial $10\ \text{mL}$ contain?
  2. b) Calculate the molarity of the diluted solution.
  3. c) Verify that the relationship $M_1\times V_1=M_2\times V_2$ is satisfied and explain which quantity is conserved in a dilution.
Solve
Practice★★☆Not started
A laboratory has nitric acid, $\text{HNO}3$, $4\ \text{M}$ and needs to prepare $500\ \text{mL}$ of $0.8\ \text{M}$ solution. a) Apply the relationship…

A laboratory has nitric acid, $\text{HNO}_3$, $4\ \text{M}$ and needs to prepare $500\ \text{mL}$ of $0.8\ \text{M}$ solution.

  1. a) Apply the relationship $M_1\times V_1=M_2\times V_2$ to calculate the volume of concentrated acid that needs to be measured.
  2. b) Describe how to safely prepare the dilution: what apparatus is used and why the acid is added to the water and not the other way around.
Solve
Practice★★★Not started
In an analytical laboratory, $100\ \text{mL}$ of $0.5\ \text{M}$ $\text{NaCl}$ solution are mixed with $300\ \text{mL}$ of $1.5\ \text{M}$ $\text{NaCl}$ solution. Assume…

In an analytical laboratory, $100\ \text{mL}$ of $0.5\ \text{M}$ $\text{NaCl}$ solution are mixed with $300\ \text{mL}$ of $1.5\ \text{M}$ $\text{NaCl}$ solution. Assume that the volumes are additive. The diagram shows the mixture.

100 mL NaCl 0.5 M + 300 mL NaCl 1.5 M 400 mL M = ?
  1. a) Calculate the moles of salt provided by each solution.
  2. b) Calculate the molarity of the resulting mixture.
  3. c) Explain why the result is not $1\ \text{M}$, the mean of the two initial concentrations.
Solve

Colligative properties: what matters is how many particles there are

Freezing temperature scale: pure water freezes at 0 °C, the 0.5 M salt solution freezes lower down and the 1 M salt solution freezes lower still. Freezing temperature T 0 °C pure water 0.5 M salt 1 M salt freezes at 0 °C freezes lower down freezes lower still depression depression

Gas solubility and pressure

The solubility of a gas in a liquid increases with the partial pressure of that gas above the liquid (Henry's law, $S = k_H \cdot P$) and decreases as temperature rises. A sealed soda holds CO₂ at high pressure; opening it drops the pressure and the gas leaves the solution. Pressure units: $1\ \text{atm} = 101.325\ \text{kPa} = 1013.25\ \text{hPa}$.

Practice★★★Not started
Unit challenge. How much gas does a soft drink contain and how does it affect the properties of the solution? Determine the concentration of dissolved $CO_2$ and its…

Unit challenge. How much gas does a soft drink contain and how does it affect the properties of the solution? Determine the concentration of dissolved $CO_2$ and its ideal gas behavior right in your own kitchen.

  1. Local conditions: Look up the atmospheric pressure ($P \pm 1\text{ hPa}$) and ambient temperature ($T \pm 0.5\text{ }^\circ\text{C}$) in your city on the National Weather Service website.

  2. Home experimentation: Weigh a small bottle of sparkling water using a kitchen scale (sensitivity $\pm 0.1\text{ g}$). Degas it progressively by shaking it and opening it carefully over $4$ successive intervals, recording the mass of the system after each gas loss. Finally, degas it completely (shaking until the mass no longer changes) to obtain the final mass $m_f$, and note the liquid volume $V_{\text{dis}}$ shown on the label.

  3. Processing and calculation: Prepare a data table showing the mass of $CO_2$ lost and propagate its uncertainty. Using the ideal gas equation ($PV = nRT$), deduce the volume of gas released and calculate the molar concentration of the gas that remained dissolved at each stage.

  4. Final report: Plot the graph of gas volume versus mass lost (including error bars) and explain how pressure and temperature affect the solubility of the gas.

Evaluation criteria:

  • Rigorous determination of home measurements with their associated uncertainties.

  • Correct application of the ideal gas law and concentration units.

  • Analytical quality of the data table, graph, and physicochemical interpretation of the results.

Solve

Back to the start: what matters is the number of particles, which is why a few particles of road salt are enough to keep the water on a Minnesota road liquid below $0\ ^\circ\text{C}$.

Summary

See all the exercises in this section