How Solubility Depends on Free Energy

Solubility depends on free energy changes when a solute dissolves in a solvent. The free energy change for this process is called the free energy of solution, ΔGsolution. When ΔGsolution is less than zero, solution formation is favorable. When it is greater than zero, solution formation is unfavorable.

Recall that solution formation is regulated by the entropy of mixing, ΔS_mixing. The associated free energy of mixing, ΔG_mixing, is expressed by substituting ΔS_mixing in the Gibbs free energy equation.

Since ΔS_mixing is independent of intermolecular interaction...