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What is the hypothesis for the given statement?

1) If the temperature of the liquid is increased, then more sugar will dissolve, because warm solutions hold more solute than cold solutions.
2) If the temperature of the liquid is decreased, then more sugar will dissolve, because warm solutions hold more solute than cold solutions.
3) If the temperature of the liquid is increased, then less sugar will dissolve, because warm solutions hold less solute than cold solutions.
4) If the temperature of the liquid is decreased, then less sugar will dissolve, because warm solutions hold less solute than cold solutions.

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The correct hypothesis is that increasing the temperature of a liquid will result in more sugar dissolving, as warm solutions can hold more solute. The solubility of most solids, including sugar, tends to increase as the temperature rises due to the increased kinetic energy of the solvent molecules. Therefore, the correct option is 1.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct hypothesis for the given statement is based on the understanding that the solubility of most solids, such as sugar, generally increases with temperature. Therefore, option 1) is the hypothesis that aligns with this principle: If the temperature of the liquid is increased, then more sugar will dissolve, because warm solutions hold more solute than cold solutions. Temperature affects how much solute can be dissolved in a solvent. When the solution is heated, the molecules of the solvent gain more kinetic energy, which facilitates the dissolution process by allowing the solvent molecules to collide more frequently and with greater energy with the solute particles. This results in a higher dissolution rate and also a higher amount of solute that can dissolve. By contrast, cooling the solution would typically decrease the solubility of the sugar, as the kinetic energy of the solvent molecules would be reduced, leading to less frequent and less energetic collisions with the solute particles. Thus, less sugar would dissolve in a cooler solution, contradicting options 2) and 4). Option 3) incorrectly asserts that warm solutions hold less solute, which is not normally the case for solutes like sugar.

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