Which factor influences the solubility of salts?

The solubility of salts in a solvent, particularly in water, is significantly influenced by temperature. When temperature increases, the kinetic energy of the molecules in a solution also increases. This heightened kinetic energy can break apart the ionic bonds in a salt more effectively, allowing more solute to dissolve in the solvent. Consequently, for most salts, solubility increases as temperature rises.

In contrast, while the shape of the solute can impact how interactions occur at a molecular level, it is less directly related to solubility than temperature. Pressure mainly affects the solubility of gases rather than solids like salts. In terms of the mass of the solvent, while having a greater volume of solvent can allow more solute to dissolve, it does not directly alter the inherent solubility characteristics of the salt itself. Thus, temperature remains the most crucial factor affecting the solubility of salts in solution.