1
$\begingroup$

My textbook of physical chemistry says

...The following factors affect the solubilities of gases in liquids:

(i) Nature of the gas and solvent: Generally, the gases which can be easily liquefied are more soluble in common solvents. For example, $CO_2$ is more soluble in water than oxygen or hydrogen. The gases which react with the solvent posses higher solubility. For example, $HCl$ and $NH_3$ are highly soluble in water.

Oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide are much more soluble in ethyl alcohol than in water at the same temperature and pressure.

(ii) Temperature: The solubility of most of the gases in liquids decreases with increase...

Why is it so that the gases which can be easily liquefied are more soluble?

I mean, more liquefiable gases would have a stronger attractive forces amongst the molecule. This would mean that it would become increasingly tougher to dissolve them as their ability to be liquified increase. Then why the opposite is true?


Edit

I found a similar question on Chemistry.SE here asking Why does physisorption (physical adsorption) increase with ease of liquefaction?. I know the above question (and answers) are aimed at adsorption and mine is about solubility, but I think there must be an explanation like that for the aforementioned one.

$\endgroup$
9
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Make some hand-waving about the strength of the intermolecular interactions. $\endgroup$ Jan 10, 2021 at 16:00
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Because it's a crappy textbook, or you haven't been reading it thoroughly? ;) $\endgroup$
    – Karl
    Jan 10, 2021 at 18:08
  • $\begingroup$ @Karl - I feel like you would be happy to know that the textbook is among the standard ones used by students (atleast in my country) $\endgroup$
    – SteelCubes
    Jan 10, 2021 at 19:55
  • $\begingroup$ @SteelCubes If this is one of the 10 in One Study Package for CBSE Chemistry Class books, they I have to agree with Karl—the quality of that stuff is way below average from I can see on Google Books. If you must use this sort of literature, then so be it, but I would recommend to take a glimpse of the Resources for learning Chemistry. $\endgroup$
    – andselisk
    Jan 10, 2021 at 20:05
  • $\begingroup$ @andselisk - The text quoted is from PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR COMPETITIONS by Dr. O.P. Tondon (G.R.B. Publication) $\endgroup$
    – SteelCubes
    Jan 10, 2021 at 20:07

0

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.