Question

How can you increase the rate of solvation?

Answer 1

Solvation occurs when solute and solvent particles come in contact with each other. To increase the rate of solvation, you need to increase how often these two come into contact.

You can do this by:
· agitating the mixture (stirring)
· increasing the surface area of the solute (by crushing the solute)
· increasing the temperature of the solvent

Agitating the mixture will make the particles bump into each other, thus increasing solvation.

Crushing the solute will increase it's surface area, which means there is more area for the solvent particles to bump into.

Increasing the temperature of the solvent will make its particles move faster, therefore making it more likely that they'll bump into solute particles.