Partial and Element Dissolution (1 Viewer)

[Axio]

Could someone please explain if and how some elements dissolve in water?

My guess is that it is the dispersion forces in the element molecules that are attracted to the polar ends of the water but if this is true it does go against the 'like dissolves like' generalisation.

The syllabus dot point I'm trying to answer is: explain changes, if any, to particles and account for those changes when the following types of chemicals interact with water: a soluble or partially soluble molecular element or compound such as iodine

Thanks

 

[I97]

iirc, water only partially dissolves these in small amounts as they are very small and so they are sparingly soluble. This is because of the fact that they are small molecules and hence have weak dispersion forces in comparison to larger non-polar molecules and so water is able to overcome the dispersion force and therefore the molecule such as oxygen or iodine is slightly attracted to the temporary dipoles in the water
Have a look at page 16 http://www.talent-100.com.au/our-courses/samples/PC-Notes-Talent-100.pdf

 

[Queenroot]

Could someone please explain if and how some elements dissolve in water?

My guess is that it is the dispersion forces in the element molecules that are attracted to the polar ends of the water but if this is true it does go against the 'like dissolves like' generalisation.

The syllabus dot point I'm trying to answer is: explain changes, if any, to particles and account for those changes when the following types of chemicals interact with water: a soluble or partially soluble molecular element or compound such as iodine

Thanks

Like does dissolve like. That's why, unless the element being dissolved is polar, it won't dissolve completely.
Elements that are not polar are generally attracted to the dispersion forces of water molecules and hence may partially dissolve.

Size also matters as I97 pointed out.

 

[Axio]

Thanks guys