Solubility of gases in water: Solubility of gases in water: a. decreases with increasing pressure above solution. b. increases with increasing pressure above solution. c. is independent of pressure above solution. d. Gases are not soluble in water. e. none of the above

Solubility of gases in water: a. decreases with increasing pressure above solution. b. increases with increasing pressure above solution. c. is independent of pressure above solution. d. Gases are not soluble in water. e. none of the above

The answer to the question is option B (increases with increasing pressure above solution).

Explanation:

Solubility is the chemical property of a solute to dissolve into a solvent. The solubility which is the characteristic property of a specific solute-solvent combination of a substance fundamentally depends on the solvent used, as well as temperature and pressure.

Concentration of molecules in the gas phase increases with increasing pressure. At low pressure, a gas has a low solubility, while at at high pressure, a gas has a high solubility. The rate at which gas molecules collide with the surface of the liquid and dissolve depends on the pressure of the gas in relation to the number of molecules of gas per unit volume. The solubility of gases in water, makes an increase in pressure result in a proportional increase in solubility, whereas a decrease in pressure decreases solubility.

This can be expressed in the equation: C = k x Pgas

where C = solubility of gas in solvent, k = proportionality constant and Pgas = partial pressure of the gas above the solution.