Final answer:
To increase solubility, heat the solvent to enhance kinetic energy, stir the solution to increase collision frequency, and consider the solute's temperature dependence or the formation of complex ions for ionic compounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
Increasing Solubility of a Solute
Students can increase the solubility of a solute by several methods. One effective method is by heating up the solvent, which provides more kinetic energy to the molecules. This increased motion results in more frequent and forceful collisions between the solvent molecules and the solute, enhancing the solubility. This process can lead to the creation of supersaturated solutions when a solution is saturated at an elevated temperature and cooled down without the solute precipitating, thus maintaining a higher solubility at the lower temperature.
The rate of dissolution is another factor tied closely to solubility. Stirring or agitating a solution increases the collision frequency, thereby enhancing the dissolution rate and subsequently the solubility. Using finely divided solute, as opposed to large chunks, also helps in increasing the rate of dissolution and solubility.
Furthermore, the temperature dependence is not the same for all substances, as some solutes exhibit an increase in solubility with temperature, while others do not. Additionally, the formation of complex ions in solution can also increase the solubility of ionic compounds, such as the dissolution of aluminum hydroxide in a strong base due to formation of Al(OH)4-.