- maximum amount of a substance (solute) that dissolves in a given solvent at a specific temperature
- “like dissolves like”: polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents (water), nonpolar in nonpolar
- measured in g/L or mol/L
- increases with temperature for most solids; gases become less soluble as temperature rises
- pressure affects gas solubility (Henry’s law): higher pressure, more gas dissolves
- saturation, supersaturation, and precipitation describe solution states
- solubility of minerals in water drives weathering, cave formation, and nutrient cycling
- drug solubility determines bioavailability in pharmacology
- solubility product (Ksp) quantifies equilibrium for sparingly soluble salts