Crystals are made using supersaturated solutions of solids in water. These solutions hold more of the solute than they would at room temperature. How are these solutions made?

Question

A. The water would need to be heated to a higher temperature, which would take kinetic energy away from molecules and ions, increasing solubility.
B. The water would need to be chilled to a lower temperature, which would take kinetic energy away from molecules and ions, increasing solubility.
C. The water would need to be chilled to a lower temperature, which would give molecules and ions more kinetic energy, increasing solubility.
D. The water would need to be heated to a higher temperature, which would take kinetic energy away from molecules and ions, increasing solubility.

Answer 1

The correct option is:

A. The water would need to be heated to a higher temperature, which would take kinetic energy away from molecules and ions, increasing solubility.

However, this explanation is not entirely accurate since heating increases kinetic energy, which typically leads to an increase in solubility for many solids. The solution requires heating the water to dissolve more solute, and once it is saturated and then slowly cooled, it can become supersaturated, allowing crystals to form.

To clarify, the correct reasoning is: heating the water increases the solubility of solids, allowing more solute to dissolve. Then, as the solution cools, it can become supersaturated, leading to crystal formation.