Which of the following does NOT increase the rate of dissolving a solid in water?

• A. Crushing the solid into smaller pieces
• B. Increasing the temperature of the water
• C. Stirring the solution
• D. Decreasing the temperature of the water

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that the rate of dissolving a solid in water depends on factors that increase the interaction between the solid and the solvent, such as surface area, temperature, and agitation.
2. Recognize that crushing the solid into smaller pieces increases the surface area, allowing more solvent molecules to interact with the solid, thus increasing the rate of dissolving.
3. Know that increasing the temperature of the water generally increases the kinetic energy of the molecules, leading to faster movement and more frequent collisions between solvent and solute, which increases the dissolving rate.
4. Understand that stirring the solution helps distribute the solute particles throughout the solvent, preventing saturation near the solid surface and increasing the rate of dissolving.
5. Realize that decreasing the temperature of the water reduces molecular motion and kinetic energy, which slows down the interactions between solute and solvent molecules, thereby decreasing the rate of dissolving.