Factors affecting the rate of solution:
* Decreasing the temperature: The solubility of most solids increases with temperature. Lowering the temperature will slow down the rate of dissolving.
* Decreasing the surface area of the solid: Smaller particles have a larger surface area to volume ratio. Larger particles will have a slower rate of dissolving. You can increase the surface area by grinding the solid into smaller pieces.
* Stirring less: Stirring helps to bring fresh solvent into contact with the solid, which speeds up the dissolving process. Less stirring means a slower rate of dissolving.
* Adding more of the same dissolved solid: Once a solution becomes saturated, no more solid can dissolve. Adding more solid will simply create a slurry of undissolved solid.
* Adding a substance that forms a complex with the dissolved solid: This can effectively remove the dissolved solid from solution, slowing down the overall dissolving process.
Let me know if you would like more explanation on any of these factors.
