The solubility of sodium iodide (NaI) in water is dependent on temperature. This means that more sodium iodide can dissolve in water as the temperature increases.
Sodium Iodide Solubility in Water
The exact solubility values for sodium iodide in water at specific temperatures are as follows:
| Temperature (°C) | Solubility (g NaI / 100 g H₂O) |
|---|---|
| 30 | 191 |
| 60 | 257 |
As the table illustrates, sodium iodide exhibits high solubility in water, and this solubility significantly increases with rising temperature.
Understanding Solubility
Solubility refers to the maximum amount of a substance (the solute) that can dissolve in a given amount of solvent (in this case, water) at a specific temperature to form a saturated solution. For most solid solutes like sodium iodide, their solubility in liquid solvents generally increases with temperature because higher temperatures provide more kinetic energy to the molecules, facilitating the breaking of intermolecular bonds in the solute and the formation of solute-solvent interactions.
To learn more about the general concept of solubility, you can explore resources like LibreTexts Chemistry on Solubility.
Practical Implications
Understanding the solubility of compounds like sodium iodide is crucial in various scientific and industrial applications:
- Solution Preparation: Knowing the solubility limits allows chemists to prepare solutions of desired concentrations without undissolved solute.
- Crystallization: The decrease in solubility upon cooling a hot, saturated solution is a common method for purifying solids through crystallization.
- Chemical Reactions: Solubility influences reaction rates and yields, especially in precipitation reactions where product insolubility drives the reaction forward.
- Analytical Chemistry: In techniques like gravimetric analysis, precise knowledge of solubility helps ensure complete precipitation or dissolution.
Sodium iodide is widely used in various fields, including medicine (as a source of iodine), organic synthesis, and as a component in scintillation detectors. Its high solubility in water makes it convenient for preparing aqueous solutions for these diverse applications.
