How does increasing pressure affect the solubility of solids in liquids?

Prepare for the NCEA Level 3 Chemistry – Aqueous Chemistry (AS91393) Exam. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Excel on your exam!

Increasing pressure generally has little effect on the solubility of solids in liquids because the solubility of most solids is not significantly influenced by changes in pressure. Solubility of solids typically depends more on temperature and the nature of the solvent and solute rather than pressure.

In liquid solutions, the solubility equilibrium is primarily affected by the interactions between the solute particles and the solvent. Since solids typically have a much higher density than liquids and the volume change when a solid dissolves is minimal, applying increased pressure does not lead to a notable change in the number of solid particles that can dissolve.

In contrast, gases show a significant increase in solubility with increased pressure because gas molecules can be forced into the liquid phase more effectively under higher pressure due to the decrease in volume of the gas. This concept aligns with Henry's law, which states that the solubility of gases in liquids is directly proportional to the pressure above the liquid.

Hence, increasing pressure primarily affects gaseous solubility rather than that of solids dissolved in liquids.

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