Earth Science Today
Russ Colson
Minnesota State University Moorhead

Answers:
Consider how the solubility of water in air (the amount of water that can dissolve into the air) might depend on the temperature of the air.  Which of the following curves would best illustrate the dependence of solubility on temperature?

A:  Curve A portrays a case in which multiple solubilities exist at a single temperature, which is physically unreasonable (analogous to having a ruler be all possible lengths at the same time).

B. illustrates a case where solubility is greater at high temperature
C. illustrates a case where solubility is independent of temperature
D. illustrates a case where solubility is lower at high temperature

    Several common experiences can be brought to bear on this problem:  When will clothes dry fastest, when it is hot or cold?  When is the most snow likely, when temperatures are near freezing or when temperatures are far below freezing?  Does water get squeezed out of air when it gets colder or hotter?
    Clothes dry faster when it is warm, more snow is likely when it is warmer, and water gets squeezed out of the air against the cold Coke can and dew forms when it gets cooler at night.  Thus, we can conclude that warmer air holds more water (allowing clothes to dry faster and providing more moisture for greater snow fall), and when things get colder, water condenses out (explaining the formation of dew on grass and on Coke cans.
Thus, the answer is B.

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