“Solubility and Polarity”

Activity #2

I. Objective

1. To investigate solute and solvent interaction.

2. To make interpretations about the nature of substances, based on their solubility or miscibility.

II. Materials

Transparent cups
Plastic spoon or coffee stirrer
Liquids: oil, water, vinegar, kerosene
Solids: sugar, salt, mothballs (naphthalene balls), potash alum (Tawas powder)

Safety Precautions

1. The activity should be performed in an airy or well-ventilated room.

2. Avoid contact with the skin and direct inhalation of the vapors of the substances. It is best, if you use
safety gloves, goggles and mask.

III. Procedure

A. Solids in Liquids

1. Fill the cup/container about half full of water.

2. Measure out a teaspoon of sugar and add it to the cup of water and stir using a spoon or coffee stirrer.
3. Repeat the same procedure for the salt, powdered mothballs and Tawas powder. Each time use a
clean cup and spoon or coffee stirrer.
4. Repeat procedure 1, this time using oil as the solvent.
5. Observe each test and record the results by writing the words "soluble" if the entire solid dissolves,
"insoluble" if the solid does not dissolve.
6. Identify the nature of the solute based on their solubility.

B. Miscibility of Liquids

1. In another clean cup, put water approximately 1/4 full, then add 1 tablespoon of oil and stir and allow
them to stand for 1 minute. Observe the contents and record your observations.
2. Repeat the same procedure for the vinegar and oil. Each time use a clean cup and spoon or coffee
stirrer.
3. Repeat procedure 1, this time using oil as the solvent.
4. Observe each test and record the results by writing the words "miscible" if the solute and solvent mix
each other, "immiscible" if the solute and solvent do not mix each other.
5. Identify the nature of the solute based on their miscibility.
IV. Results

A. Solids in Liquids

Solvent/Solute Sugar Salt Mothballs Potash Alum

Oil

Nature: Nonpolar

Water

Nature: Polar

B. Miscibility of Liquids

Solvent/Solute Oil Vinegar Kerosene

Water

Nature: Polar

Solvent/Solute Water Vinegar Kerosene

Oil

Nature: Nonpolar

V. Questions and Analysis

1. What are the solutes that dissolved in water? Oil?

2. What are the solutes that mixed with water? Kerosene?

Generalization
How can you relate the polarity of the solute and solvent to their solubility and miscibility?