Reactions in Aqueous Solutions

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Aqueous solution Noun

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[ay-kwee-uhs suh-loo-shuhn]

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Aqueous solution

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A homogeneous mixture containing one or more substances, called solutes, which are dissolved in water as the solvent.

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Example: This diagram shows a solution, where a substance (the solute) is evenly mixed into another substance (the solvent), like salt dissolving in water.

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Solute Noun

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[sol-yoot]

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Solute

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A substance, which can be molecular or ionic, that is dissolved in a solvent to form a solution.

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Example: This diagram shows that a solute (the pink particles) is a substance that dissolves and spreads out evenly within another substance, the solvent (blue particles).

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Solvent Noun

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[sol-vuhnt]

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Solvent

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The most plentiful substance in a solution that dissolves the solute; in aqueous solutions, the solvent is always water.

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Example: This diagram shows water molecules, the solvent, pulling apart and surrounding the individual positive (cations) and negative (anions) particles of a substance to dissolve it.

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Ionization Noun

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[ahy-uh-ni-zey-shuhn]

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Ionization

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The process by which a molecular compound, when dissolved in water, breaks apart to form charged ions.

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Example: This image shows an electron being removed from an atom, which is the process of ionization that creates a positively charged ion.

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Acid Noun

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[as-id]

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Acid

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A compound that produces hydrogen ions (H+) when it is dissolved in an aqueous solution.

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Example: This image shows that when blue litmus paper is dipped into an acid, it undergoes a chemical reaction and turns red.

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Dissociation Noun

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[dih-soh-see-ey-shuhn]

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Dissociation

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The process in which an ionic compound separates into its individual positive and negative ions when dissolved in water.

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Example: When a salt crystal is placed in water, it breaks apart, or dissociates, into its individual positive (sodium) and negative (chloride) ions.

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Double-replacement reaction Noun

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[duhb-uhl ri-pleys-muhnt ree-ak-shuhn]

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Double-replacement reaction

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A chemical reaction between two aqueous ionic compounds where the ions of the reactants exchange places to form products.

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Example: This diagram shows two clear liquid solutions being mixed. They react to form a new liquid and a solid precipitate, demonstrating a double-replacement reaction.

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Precipitate Noun

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[pri-sip-i-teyt]

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Precipitate

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An insoluble solid product that forms from a chemical reaction occurring within a solution and then settles out.

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Example: A chemical reaction in a solution can form an insoluble solid, called a precipitate, which settles at the bottom of the liquid.

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Complete ionic equation Noun

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[kuhm-pleet ahy-on-ik ih-kwey-zhuhn]

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Complete ionic equation

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A chemical equation that shows all of the particles in a solution as they actually exist, including all dissociated ions.

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Example: This image shows a complete ionic equation, where all dissolved ionic compounds are written as separate ions, before spectator ions are removed.

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Spectator ions Noun

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[spek-tey-ter ahy-ons]

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Spectator ions

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Ions that are present in a solution but do not directly participate in the chemical reaction taking place.

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Example: This diagram shows a chemical reaction where sodium (Na⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) ions are present both before and after, making them 'spectator ions'.