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Year 7

Solubility: practical

I can carry out a fair test to investigate solubility and record the measurements in an appropriate table of results.

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Year 7

Solubility: practical

I can carry out a fair test to investigate solubility and record the measurements in an appropriate table of results.

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Share activities with pupils
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These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The solubility of a substance could depend upon the size of the solute pieces, the choice or temperature of the solvent.
  2. The independent and dependent variables, and any measurements taken during an investigation, are recorded in a table.

Keywords

  • Dissolving - The process in which a substance's particles separate and spread uniformly throughout the particles of a solvent, resulting in the substance no longer being seen.

  • Solubility - Solubility refers to how well a solute is able to dissolve in a solvent to create a solution.

  • Variable - A variable is anything that can change in an investigation.

  • Table of results - An orderly way in which to record data.

  • Anomalous - A result that does not fit an obvious trend.

Common misconception

Pupils regularly confuse the words 'table' and 'graph'.

Stress that a table of results holds measurements / observations (like a dinner table holds plates), while a graph is only on *graph* paper.


To help you plan your year 7 science lesson on: Solubility: practical, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Get pupils to work in groups of 6. Each pair in the group investigates one variable and shares their results within their group and the rest of their classmates. This is a great way to develop teamwork and effective communication in the laboratory.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does Brownian motion describe?
The motion of particles in a solid.
Correct answer: The random motion of particles in a fluid.
The movement of particles in a pure substance.
The method of separating mixtures.
Q2.
Match the measurement unit to what it measures:
Correct Answer:grams (g),mass
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mass

Correct Answer:centimetres cubed (cm³),volume
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volume

Correct Answer:degrees Celsius (℃),temperature
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temperature

Correct Answer:metres (m),distance
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distance

Q3.
What is a mixture?
A combination of substances with fixed boiling points.
A pure substance with no impurities.
Correct answer: A combination of two or more substances that can be physically separated.
A liquid solution.
Q4.
The term for a solid that dissolves in a solvent to form a solution is called a...
Correct Answer: solute
Q5.
What does the conservation of mass mean in the context of making a solution?
The mass of the solution is always zero.
Correct answer: The mass of solute and solvent equals the mass of the solution.
The mass of the solution is always more than its components.
The mass of the solution changes with temperature.
Q6.
When an insoluble solid is added to a liquid, a common observation is that the substance to the bottom of the container over time.
Correct Answer: settles, falls, sinks

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
In any investigation, the factor that is changed by the scientist is called the variable.
Correct Answer: independent
Q2.
Put the steps in the correct order for investigating how temperature affects speed of dissolving (starting with adding the solvent to the beaker):
1 - Add the solvent into the beaker.
2 - Measure the temperature of the solvent.
3 - Add the solute to the beaker.
4 - Immediately start the timer.
5 - Stir continuously to make a solution.
6 - Stop the timer when the solute is fully dissolved (no longer visible).
7 - Record results in a suitable table.
Q3.
Match the term to its definition:
Correct Answer:Dissolving,Process where solute particles spread throughout solvent.
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Process where solute particles spread throughout solvent.

Correct Answer:Solubility,How well a solute is able to dissolve in a solvent.
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How well a solute is able to dissolve in a solvent.

Correct Answer:Anomalous,Something that does not fit an obvious trend.
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Something that does not fit an obvious trend.

Correct Answer:Table of results,An orderly way in which to record data.
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An orderly way in which to record data.

Correct Answer:Variable,Anything that can change in an investigation.
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Anything that can change in an investigation.

Q4.
What is the purpose of stirring a solution in a solubility experiment?
To increase the temperature of the solvent.
Correct answer: To help the solute dissolve more uniformly.
To change the colour of the solution.
To measure the volume of the solvent.
Q5.
If the size of the solute pieces is decreased in a solubility experiment, the solute will dissolve...
Correct Answer: faster, quicker, more quickly
Q6.
When a solute completely dissolves in a solvent, the resulting mixture is called a...
Correct Answer: solution