Solubility Curve Explorer
Drag a point on the solubility graph and see whether the solution is unsaturated, saturated or super-saturated.
Drag the orange point on the graph: left and right for temperature, up and down for the grams of salt in 100 g of water.
About the Solubility Curve Explorer
Free solubility curve lab. Pick a salt, drag the temperature and amount of solute on the graph, and see the beaker show dissolved solute, undissolved crystals and whether the solution is saturated. Built for chemistry, the solubility curve explorer runs instantly in your browser: change a setting or drag an object and the result updates at once, so you learn by trying things out rather than only reading about them.
Drag a point on the solubility graph and see whether the solution is unsaturated, saturated or super-saturated. Use it to explore chemistry ideas at your own pace, then check what you found against the key ideas further down this page.
How to use the Solubility Curve Explorer
- Use the controls to change Temperature, Salt in 100 g of water. The simulation reacts instantly.
- Pick an option such as All curves to switch modes or load an example.
- Where you see a glowing handle, object, weight or atom, drag it with your mouse or finger. Everything responds in real time.
- Watch the readouts and graphs update as you experiment, and compare what you see with the key ideas below.
Things to try
- Put 60 g of KNO₃ in the beaker at 20 °C, then heat it.
- Compare NaCl and KNO₃ at 80 °C.
- Cool a saturated solution and watch crystals form.
- Find the temperature where 100 g of NaNO₃ just dissolves.
Key ideas you can learn
- A solubility curve shows how many grams dissolve in 100 g of water at each temperature.
- Points on the curve are saturated, below it unsaturated, above it there is undissolved solute (or a super-saturated solution).
- Most solids dissolve better when hot, but some salts like NaCl barely change.
Where this is used in the real world
Sugar makers, chemists purifying salts by crystallisation, and aquarium keepers all rely on solubility. It also explains why fizzy drinks go flat when warm.
Who is this simulation for?
Chemistry students from middle school to university, teachers who need a virtual demonstration, and anyone without access to a lab. It is safe, free and repeatable as many times as you like.
For teachers: project it on the board, let students predict what will happen, then run it together. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Frequently asked questions
What does a solubility curve show?
The maximum mass of a solute that dissolves in 100 g of water at each temperature. Below the line more can still dissolve.
What is a super-saturated solution?
A solution holding more solute than the curve allows. It is unstable and crystals can suddenly form.
Is the Solubility Curve Explorer free to use?
Yes. It is completely free, with no signup, no download and no ads inside the simulation. It runs in your web browser.
Does the Solubility Curve Explorer work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. It uses touch as well as the mouse, so you can drag objects with your finger. A larger screen makes the controls easier to see.