0908 Chemical species, speciation

Module 0908
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Chemical species, speciation in aqueous solution

​It's not what we put into the solution that matters - it's all about what is in the solution.

The label on the bottle tells us the solution concentration  (or solute concentration). Does it tell us what chemical species are actually in the solution?

Or their concentrations?

​Why does it matter?

In response to Prof Bob's challenging questions, Aussie has Aha! moments concerning the concepts of chemical species, and speciation.

KEY IDEAS - Chemical species, speciation

Members of a species: all the same, but different from members of any other species (which are all the same) - if you get my meaning ... . In the animal kingdom, one species cannot give rise to another. In chemical systems, .....?

Chemical species are chemical entities

        This process is discussed in some detail in Module 0905 Dissolution of ionic salts in water: a competition.

Consideration of the concentrations of specific chemical species in solution (as distinct from the labelled solution concentration is the subject matter of Module 0912 Species concentration vs. solution concentration.

Speciation: Changing concentrations of chemical species

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A matter of language: Clarification of the meaning of the term chemical species. An analogy ....

Prof Bob tries to explain the basic notion of the concept of chemical species. Professional chemists need more than basic notions, and perhaps you might like to see in the IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology the complexity that arises when experts in a field try to cover all the intricacies.

SELF CHECK: Some thinking tasks

What percentage of the human species understand the term 'chemical species'? Are you one of the lucky ones? Check ....

Answers
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