In the context of dissolving, the factor that does NOT affect the rate of dissolving is particle size.
Explanation:
1. Particle size: Unlike temperature and stirring, particle size does not directly impact the rate of dissolving. Whether a substance dissolves quickly or slowly does not depend on the size of its particles. For example, whether you have a large sugar crystal or finely powdered sugar, both will dissolve at the same rate in water given the same conditions.
2. Temperature: Higher temperatures generally increase the rate of dissolving because they provide more energy to break the bonds between the solute particles, helping them mix with the solvent faster. For instance, stirring a sugar cube in hot tea will dissolve the sugar faster compared to stirring it in cold tea.
3. Stirring: Stirring helps increase the rate of dissolving by ensuring that fresh solvent comes into contact with the solute continuously. This helps to speed up the dissolving process as it prevents the build-up of a saturated solution around the solute. For instance, stirring sugar in a cup of water will make it dissolve quicker than just leaving it sitting at the bottom.
In summary, while particle size does not affect the rate of dissolving, factors like temperature and stirring play crucial roles in influencing how quickly a solute dissolves in a solvent.
