Dissolved vs. Undissolved

Attribute	Dissolved	Undissolved
Solubility	Capable of being dissolved in a solvent	Not capable of being dissolved in a solvent
State	Exists in a solution	Exists as a separate phase
Particle size	Particles are individual molecules or ions	Particles are larger and not separated at the molecular level
Homogeneity	Forms a homogeneous mixture	Forms a heterogeneous mixture

Dissolved Attributes

When a substance is dissolved in a solvent, it means that the molecules of the substance are evenly distributed throughout the solvent. This results in a homogeneous mixture where the dissolved substance is no longer visible. One of the key attributes of dissolved substances is that they do not settle at the bottom of the container. Instead, they remain suspended in the solvent, creating a clear solution. This uniform distribution of molecules allows for easy mixing and ensures that the dissolved substance is evenly spread throughout the solvent.

Another important attribute of dissolved substances is that they do not alter the physical properties of the solvent. For example, when sugar is dissolved in water, the water remains a liquid and does not change its boiling or freezing point. This is because the molecules of the dissolved sugar do not interact with the molecules of the water in a way that would alter its physical properties. Instead, they simply coexist in the same space, creating a solution.

Dissolved substances also have the ability to undergo chemical reactions while in solution. This is because the molecules of the dissolved substance are in close proximity to each other and to other molecules in the solvent, allowing for chemical reactions to take place. For example, when salt is dissolved in water, the sodium and chloride ions are free to react with other substances in the solution, leading to various chemical reactions.

One of the advantages of dissolved substances is that they can be easily separated from the solvent through processes such as evaporation or filtration. By removing the solvent, the dissolved substance can be isolated and collected in its pure form. This makes dissolved substances ideal for various applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and chemical manufacturing.

In summary, dissolved substances are characterized by their even distribution in a solvent, their ability to undergo chemical reactions, and their ease of separation from the solvent.

Undissolved Attributes

When a substance is undissolved in a solvent, it means that the molecules of the substance do not mix evenly with the molecules of the solvent. This results in a heterogeneous mixture where the undissolved substance is visible and may settle at the bottom of the container. One of the key attributes of undissolved substances is that they do not form a clear solution but instead create a suspension in the solvent.

Another important attribute of undissolved substances is that they can alter the physical properties of the solvent. For example, when sand is added to water, the water may become cloudy and the sand may settle at the bottom of the container. This is because the sand particles do not dissolve in water but instead interact with it in a way that changes its appearance and behavior.

Undissolved substances do not have the same ability to undergo chemical reactions as dissolved substances. This is because the molecules of the undissolved substance are not in close proximity to each other or to other molecules in the solvent. As a result, chemical reactions are less likely to occur in a suspension of undissolved particles.

One of the challenges of dealing with undissolved substances is that they can be difficult to separate from the solvent. Because the undissolved particles do not mix evenly with the solvent, they may require additional processes such as filtration or centrifugation to isolate them from the solvent. This can make undissolved substances less practical for certain applications compared to dissolved substances.

In summary, undissolved substances are characterized by their uneven distribution in a solvent, their potential to alter the physical properties of the solvent, and their limited ability to undergo chemical reactions.