Making Solutions

How to Make Chemical Solutions - Overview

Making Molar Solutions

Making Weight Percent (Wt%) Solutions

How to Make Chemical Solutions

Often you will need to dissolve solid chemicals in water to make a solution of the particular strength needed for your experiment. Plan one hour for every 2-4 solutions you need to prepare. You will need a balance to weigh out the solid chemical (or solute) and a graduated cylinder to measure the water (or solvent).

First, determine the concentration (weight percent or Molarity, see below) and amount (milliliters) of solution you need from your lab procedure. Second, calculate the amount of solid chemical needed in grams, using one of the formulas given below. Next, weigh out the solid chemical and add it to a mixing beaker. Finally, measure the volume of water needed in milliliters with a graduated cylinder and add it to the beaker. Stir the solution until all of the chemical dissolves.

Break up hard lumps of chemical with a mortar and pestle or by careful crushing in a plastic bag with a hammer. Chemicals dissolve more quickly by gently heating the solution and stirring.

You might consider scaling down when experiments call for large amounts of chemical. Scaling down reduces safety hazards, chemical cost, and waste disposal.

Most experiments can be scaled down by dividing all chemical and water amounts by a factor of your choosing. If an experiment calls for 50 g of chemical and 250 ml of water, and you only want to use 5 g of chemical, scale down all quantities and volumes by a factor of 10 (i.e., use 25 ml of water). Use smaller beakers, test tubes, etc. with the reduced chemical amounts if necessary.

When making chemical solutions, always use the appropriate safety equipment.

Return to Top of Page

Making Molar Solutions

Once the molecular weight of a chemical is known, the weight of chemical to dissolve in water for a molar solution less than 1M is calculated by the formula:

grams of chemical = (molarity of solution in mole/liter) x (MW of chemical in g/mole) x (ml of solution) ÷ 1000 ml/liter

For example, to make 100 ml of 0.1 M CaCl₂ solution, use the previous formula to find out how much CaCl₂ you need:

grams of CaCl₂ = (0.1) x (110.91) x (100) ÷ (1000) = 1.11 g

Now you can make your solution: dissolve 1.11 g of CaCl₂ in sufficient water to make 100 ml of solution. The amount of water needed will be slightly less than 100 ml.

A balance and a volumetric flask are used to make molar solutions. A procedure for making a molar solution with a 100ml volumetric flask is as follows:

1. Calculate the weight of chemical needed to make 100ml of solution using the above formula.
2. Weigh out amount of chemical needed using a balance.
3. Transfer the weighed out chemical to a clean, dry 100ml volumetric flask.
4. Slowly add distilled water to the volumetric flask. Wash all the chemical into the bottom of the flask as you do so. Keep adding water until you reach the 100ml mark on the neck of the flask.
5. Place the stopper in the flask and gently swirl the flask until all the chemical is dissolved.

If you don't have a volumetric flask you can use a 100ml graduated cylinder instead. Just add the chemical to the graduated cylinder and then add distilled water until you reach the 100ml mark in the side of the cylinder.

Making Weight Percent (Wt%) Solutions

grams of chemical = (wt% solution) x (ml of water) ÷ (100 - wt% solution)

As an example, to make 100 ml of 10% NaCl (table salt) solution, use the previous formula to find out how much NaCl you need:

grams of NaCl = (10) x (100) ÷ (100 - 10) = 11.1 g

Now you can make your solution: dissolve 11.1 g NaCl in 100 ml of water.

Return to Top of Page

Website artwork, text and images Copyright © 2009 Home Training Tools, Ltd. All rights reserved.