In dissolving any solute, room must be made in the solvent to accommodate solute particles. Does making this room absorb energy or release energy? Explain why.

When a solute is dissolved in a solvent, the solvent molecules need to move apart to create space for solute particles. The energy required to move the solvent molecules comes from the energy released during the formation of intermolecular forces between the solute and the solvent. The overall energy changes can be explained by considering three processes: 1. Breaking intermolecular forces between solute particles (endothermic process) 2. Breaking intermolecular forces between solvent molecules (endothermic process) 3. Formation of intermolecular forces between solute and solvent particles (exothermic process)

The energy absorbed in breaking intermolecular forces between solute and solvent particles is considered as heat absorbed (positive energy change). On the other hand, the energy released during the formation of intermolecular forces between solute and solvent particles is considered as heat released (negative energy change). The overall energy change during the dissolving process can be determined by the sum of the energy changes of these three processes. If the energy released in step 3 is greater than the energy absorbed in steps 1 and 2, the dissolving process is exothermic (releases energy). If the energy released in step 3 is less than the energy absorbed in steps 1 and 2, the dissolving process is endothermic (absorbs energy).

As we discussed in Step 1, the solvent has to create space for solute particles by moving apart its molecules. This process involves breaking intermolecular forces between solvent molecules, which is an endothermic process. Thus, making room for solute particles in a solvent absorbs energy. However, it's important to note that the overall energy change during the dissolving process depends on the balance between the energy absorbed and released during the three mentioned processes. In some cases, the overall process may still release energy if the energy released in step 3 overcomes the energy absorbed in steps 1 and 2.