Water soluble

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

Water-soluble refers to substances that can dissolve in water. This property is crucial in many biological and chemical processes. Water-soluble substances include salt, sugar, and oxygen, among others.

Overview[edit | edit source]

Water solubility is a measure of the amount of chemical substance that can dissolve in water at a specific temperature. The key factor determining a substance's solubility in water is its polarity. Water is a polar molecule, meaning it has a net dipole moment due to its asymmetric charge distribution.

Water-Soluble Substances[edit | edit source]

Salts[edit | edit source]

Salt is a water-soluble substance. When salt is mixed with water, it dissolves into its component ions. This is due to the polar nature of water, which allows it to separate and surround the ions, leading to the formation of a solution.

Sugars[edit | edit source]

Sugar is another example of a water-soluble substance. Like salt, sugar can dissolve in water due to the polar nature of both substances. When sugar is mixed with water, the sugar molecules break down and are surrounded by water molecules, forming a solution.

Oxygen[edit | edit source]

Oxygen is also water-soluble, to a certain extent. Oxygen dissolves in water through a process called gas solubility. This is crucial for aquatic life, as it allows oxygen to be present in water for respiration.

Factors Affecting Water Solubility[edit | edit source]

Several factors can affect the solubility of a substance in water. These include temperature, pressure, and the nature of the solute and solvent.

Applications[edit | edit source]

Water solubility has numerous applications in various fields, including biology, chemistry, and environmental science. For instance, it plays a crucial role in the distribution and transport of nutrients in the body and the environment.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Water soluble Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD