Difference between Solubility and Dissolution

Key Difference: Dissolution is the process through which a solute gets dissolved into a solvent and forms a solution. Solubility is a quantitative term defining the maximum amount of solute which gets dissolved into the solvent.

Dissolution and solubility are related to each other, still there is a subtle difference between them. Dissolution refers to the process when solute dissolves in solvent and forms a solution.

Solute refers to the solid part, whereas, solvent refers to the liquid part. There are many attributes which influence this type of reaction like size of solute, temperature and properties of solvent.

In case, solvent is removed from the solution by employing techniques like evaporation, then clearly solute can be found distinct from the remaining solution. This process of separation is also known as precipitation of a solid or the evolution of a gas. Thus, precipitation is also considered to be an opposite phenomenon of dissolution. Together, they constitute in developing a dynamic equilibrium.

Solubility is also related to the dissolution. It just quantifies the process of dissolution by determining the maximum amount of solid that can dissolved in a solvent during equilibrium. Equilibrium refers to the stage when reactants and products are in total balance mode, which means that no more solute can further be dissolved into the solvent in the set conditions. This type of solution is also termed as a saturated solution. The solubility is often expressed in units of mol/dm3 and is then called the molar solubility

Therefore, solubility is totally a quantitative terms. Usually, if 0.1 gram of solute is able to dissolve in 100 mL solvent, the substance is considered to be soluble. In case less than 0.1 gram is only able to dissolve in 100 mL solvent, substance is known as insoluble or sparingly soluble. Thus, solubility and dissolution are closely related. Solubility just quantifies the process of dissolution.

Comparison between Solubility and Dissolution:

	Solubility	Dissolution
Definition	Solubility is a quantitative term defining that maximum of how much solute will get dissolved into the solvent	Dissolution is the process through which a solute gets dissolved into a solvent and forms a solution
Factors	Temperature – increases with the rise in temperature Characteristic of solute and solvent Pressure – it s seen in the cases of gases where and increase in pressure tends to increase the solubility of a gas in liquid	Temperature – increase temperature usually increases the rate of dissolution Solute particle size – smaller sized and fine particles tend to dissolve at a faster rate Stirring – it makes room for the solute particles quickly
Type	Quantity	Process