AP Chemistry Flashcards: Solubility
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
What is the "like dissolves like" rule?
It is the principle that substances with similar intermolecular interactions tend to be miscible or soluble in one another.
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What is the "like dissolves like" rule?
It is the principle that substances with similar intermolecular interactions tend to be miscible or soluble in one another.
A nonpolar molecular substance is added to water (a polar, aqueous solvent). What is the likely outcome?
The nonpolar substance will likely be insoluble because its intermolecular interactions are very different from the strong hydrogen bonding interactions between water molecules.
What is the fundamental principle governing the solubility of one substance in another?
The fundamental principle is that substances with similar intermolecular interactions tend to be soluble in one another.
Would a polar molecular compound be soluble in a nonpolar, nonaqueous solvent?
No, it would likely be insoluble because the intermolecular interactions of the polar solute and nonpolar solvent are dissimilar.
What determines the solubility of a molecular compound in a solvent?
The solubility of a molecular compound is determined by how closely its intermolecular forces (e.g., London dispersion, dipole-dipole) match the intermolecular forces of the solvent particles.
Why is the phrase 'like dissolves like' a useful summary for predicting solubility?
It summarizes the core concept that solubility is favored when the intermolecular forces between solute and solvent particles are similar in type and strength to the forces within the pure solute and pure solvent.
What does it mean for two substances to be miscible?
Miscibility is the property of substances to mix in all proportions, forming a homogeneous solution, which occurs when they have similar intermolecular interactions.
Explain the role of intermolecular interactions in the dissolution of an ionic compound in water.
For an ionic compound to dissolve in water, the attraction between the ions and the polar water molecules must be strong enough to overcome the attraction between the ions in the crystal lattice.
Would an ionic compound be more soluble in an aqueous or nonaqueous solvent?
An ionic compound would be more soluble in an aqueous (polar) solvent because the strong ion-dipole interactions that can form are similar to the strong interactions within the ionic solid and the polar solvent.
What is the relationship between solubility and intermolecular interactions?
The solubility of a substance depends on the similarity of its intermolecular interactions to those of the solvent; similar interactions lead to higher solubility.