Comparing the solubility's of copper sulphate, sodium chloride and potassium nitrate Background Information Molecular solids (sugar) and ionic solids (salts) both dissolve in water. However, they both dissolve in different ways. The intermolecular forces holding molecules of sugar together are relatively weak so when sugar is placed in water these bonds are broken and individual C12H22O11 molecules are released into solution. It takes energy to break bonds between C12H22O11 molecules and …showed first 75 words of 1186 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1186 total…salt and join them with a line of best fit. Now you should have three separate solubility curves on the same graph. Sources of Error Human error -it is very hard to tell the exact temperature at which crystals come out of the solution, so mistakes here are probable. To reduce the chance of error use the same thermometer and the same person taking the readings. Sources Holman's Chemistry textbook Class notes Encarta Solubility-related websites