Worksheet

WATER AS A SOLVENT
1 Classify each of the following statements as true or false. For the statements that are false
rewrite them so they are true.
a Covalent molecular substances are very soluble in water.
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b Most ionic substances are soluble in water.
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c Another name for water solutions is aqueous solutions.

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d Water is a non-polar solvent.

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e Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is soluble in water.

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f All large molecules will dissolve in water.

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g Silicon dioxide will not dissolve in water because of the strong covalent lattice
structure of the compound.
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h The low solubility of oxygen gas (O2) in water is due to weak dipole–dipole forces
between solute and solvent.
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i Sucrose dissolves well in water because it can form hydrogen bonds with water.

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2 The solubility of substances depends on the nature of the bonding in the solute compared
to that in the solvent. This is often generalised as ‘like dissolves like’. Explain what is
meant by this generalisation.
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3 Complete the following table.

SUBSTANCE BONDING TYPE SOLUBILITY IN SOLUBILITY IN

WATER HEXANE

Sodium chloride

Glucose (C6H12O6)

Iodine (solid)

Silicon

Zinc

Cellulose

Hydrogen chloride