Which chemical property describes the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent?

The ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent is defined as solubility. This property indicates how much of a solute can be dissolved in a given amount of solvent at a specific temperature and pressure. When a substance is described as soluble, it means that it breaks down into its most basic forms to interact with the solvent, resulting in a homogeneous solution.

For instance, in the context of turf and ornamentals, understanding solubility is crucial when applying fertilizers or herbicides, as it affects how effectively these chemicals can penetrate the soil or be absorbed by plants. The higher the solubility, the more readily the substance can be utilized by the plants.

Viscosity, stability, and volatility are distinct chemical properties unrelated to the process of dissolution. Viscosity refers to a fluid's resistance to flow, stability relates to how a substance maintains its state under various conditions, and volatility describes how easily a substance can evaporate into gas. Recognizing these differences is important for understanding chemical interactions in different contexts, especially in applied horticultural practices.