Chemical salts I

Would you like to know more about chemical salts and solubility?

The online simulations of chemical salts on this page allow you to visualize various molecules in 3d and interactively show the dissolution process of a salt.

Chemical salts are ionic compounds formed from the combination of a cation with an anion. The solubility of a salt depends on its chemical structure and the environmental conditions in which it is found, such as temperature and pressure. The solubility of salts is of great importance in many chemical processes and in industry.

The solubility of a salt can be determined by a number of experiments. In general, the solubility of salts increases with temperature. As the temperature increases, the solvent molecules move faster, allowing for greater interaction with the salt ions and greater dissolution. However, there are some exceptions where solubility decreases with temperature.

In addition to temperature, the pH of the medium can also affect the solubility of a salt. Some salts are more soluble in acidic media, while others are more soluble in basic media. This is because the pH of the medium can influence the charge of the salt ions, which in turn affects their ability to interact with the solvent.

The solubility of salts is also of great importance in industry. For example, in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, it is important that the active ingredients dissolve easily in the body so that they can be effective. In food production, the solubility of salts can affect the texture and appearance of the final products.

Below are several simulations and other educational resources, which can also serve as very illustrative examples. In addition, a selection of books and courses is included to help you broaden your knowledge of this subject.

Solubility
Sodium
Copper
Thallium

Salts and solubility

Add different salts to water, and then watch them dissolve and achieve dynamic equilibrium with the solid precipitate. Compare the number of ions in the highly soluble NaCl solution with other poorly soluble salts. Relate the charges on the ions to the number of ions in the formula of a salt. Calculate the Ksp values.

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Sodium Chloride

Sodium chloride, common salt or table salt, referred to in its mineral form as halite, is a chemical compound with the formula NaCl. Sodium chloride is one of the salts responsible for the salinity of the ocean and the extracellular fluid of many organisms. It is also the component of common salt, used as a seasoning and food preservative.

Copper(I) Iodide

Copper(I) iodide is the inorganic compound with the formula CuI. It is also known as cuprous iodide. It is useful in a variety of applications ranging from organic synthesis to cloud seeding.

Thallium(I) sulfide

Thallium(I) sulfide, Tl2S, is a chemical compound of thallium and sulfur. It was used in some of the earliest photoelectric detectors, used in early film projectors.