What happens to solubility when a reaction is endothermic?

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!

When a reaction is endothermic, it means that the reaction absorbs heat from the surroundings. According to Le Chatelier's principle, if the temperature of the system is increased, the equilibrium will shift in the direction that absorbs the added heat to counteract the change. In the context of solubility, if the dissolution of a solute in a solvent is endothermic, increasing the temperature provides more energy that helps to break the bonds in the solute and allows it to dissolve more readily.

Therefore, as the temperature rises, the solubility of an endothermic substance increases, allowing for a greater amount of solute to dissolve in the solvent. This is why the correct answer indicates that solubility increases with increasing temperature in the case of an endothermic dissolution.

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