insoluble
Definition
A substance that is insoluble is a substance that does not dissolve in a solvent. A solvent is a liquid that can dissolve other substances. For example, water is a solvent that can dissolve many different substances, such as salt and sugar. However, water is not a solvent that can dissolve sand or oil.
Insoluble substances are often made up of molecules that are too large or too polar to dissolve in the solvent. For example, sand is made up of tiny grains of quartz, which are too large to dissolve in water. Oil is made up of molecules that are too non-polar to dissolve in water.
Insoluble substances can be separated from solvents by filtration. Filtration is a process that uses a filter to remove solid particles from a liquid. The filter allows the solvent to pass through, but it traps the insoluble particles.
How can the word be used?
The insolubility of sand is why it cannot be dissolved in water.
Different forms of the word
Adjective: insoluble.
Noun: insolubility.
Adverb: insolubly.
Etymology
The word "insoluble" comes from the Latin word "insolubilis", which means "unable to be dissolved". This word is made up of the prefix "in-", which means "not", and the root word "solubilis", which means "soluble".
The root word "solubilis" is derived from the verb "solvere", which means "to loosen" or "to dissolve". This is because insoluble substances cannot be dissolved in a solvent.
Question
What does insoluble mean?
AQA Science Exam Question and Answer
Question:
Explain the concept of insoluble substances in chemistry, detailing what it means for a substance to be insoluble and how this property is related to the process of dissolving. Provide examples of common insoluble substances and their applications in everyday life.
Answer:
In chemistry, insoluble substances are those that do not dissolve appreciably in a particular solvent, typically water, at a given temperature and pressure. This lack of dissolution is due to the intermolecular forces between the solute particles being stronger than the interactions between the solute and solvent molecules.
When a substance is insoluble, it remains in a solid state within the solvent, forming a heterogeneous mixture. An important distinction is made between slightly soluble and completely insoluble substances; the former may dissolve to a very limited extent under specific conditions.
Examples of insoluble substances include certain salts like silver chloride (AgCl) and some minerals like quartz. These properties find applications in various areas. For instance, insoluble pigments are used in paints to provide colour and texture. Additionally, calcium carbonate, found in chalk and limestone, is insoluble in water and serves as a calcium source for plants and animals.
Understanding the solubility of substances is essential in many scientific and practical contexts. It informs processes such as filtration, where insoluble particles are separated from a liquid. Knowledge of insoluble substances also underpins our understanding of precipitation reactions in chemistry, which have applications in water treatment and laboratory procedures.