4: Reactions in Aqueous Solution

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A solution is a homogeneous mixture in which substances present in lesser amounts, called solutes, are dispersed uniformly throughout the substance in the greater amount, the solvent. An aqueous solution is a solution in which the solvent is water, whereas in a nonaqueous solution, the solvent is a substance other than water. Familiar examples of nonaqueous solvents are ethyl acetate, used in nail polish removers, and turpentine, used to clean paint brushes. In this chapter, we focus on reactions that occur in aqueous solution.

There are many reasons for carrying out reactions in solution. For a chemical reaction to occur, individual atoms, molecules, or ions must collide, and collisions between two solids, which are not dispersed at the atomic, molecular, or ionic level, do not occur at a significant rate. In addition, when the amount of a substance required for a reaction is so small that it cannot be weighed accurately, using a solution of that substance, in which the solute is dispersed in a much larger mass of solvent, enables chemists to measure its quantity with great precision. Chemists can also more effectively control the amount of heat consumed or produced in a reaction when the reaction occurs in solution, and sometimes the nature of the reaction itself can be controlled by the choice of solvent.

This chapter introduces techniques for preparing and analyzing aqueous solutions, for balancing equations that describe reactions in solution, and for solving problems using solution stoichiometry. By the time you complete this chapter, you will know enough about aqueous solutions to explain what causes acid rain, why acid rain is harmful, and how a Breathalyzer measures alcohol levels. You will also understand the chemistry of photographic development, be able to explain why rhubarb leaves are toxic, and learn about a possible chemical reason for the decline and fall of the Roman Empire.

4.1: General Properties of Aqueous Solutions
Aqueous solutions can be classified as polar or nonpolar depending on how well they conduct electricity. Most chemical reactions are carried out in solutions, which are homogeneous mixtures of two or more substances. In a solution, a solute (the substance present in the lesser amount) is dispersed in a solvent (the substance present in the greater amount). Aqueous solutions contain water as the solvent, whereas nonaqueous solutions have solvents other than water.
- Units of Concentration
4.2: Precipitation and Solubility Rules
4.3: Acid-Base Reactions
4.4: Other Common Reactions
4.5: Writing Net Ionic Equations
4.6: Concentration of Solutions
Solution concentrations are typically expressed as molarities and can be prepared by dissolving a known mass of solute in a solvent or diluting a stock solution. The concentration of a substance is the quantity of solute present in a given quantity of solution. Concentrations are usually expressed in terms of molarity, defined as the number of moles of solute in 1 L of solution.
4.7: Solution Stoichiometry and Chemical Analysis
The topic solution stoichiometry deals with quantities in chemical reactions taking place in solutions. Quantitative analysis of an unknown solution can be achieved using titration methods. In a titration, a measured volume of a solution of one substance, the titrant, is added to a solution of another substance to determine its concentration. The equivalence point in a titration is the point at which exactly enough reactant has been added for the reaction to go to completion.