In a saturated solution, if temperature increases, what generally happens to solubility?

When the temperature of a saturated solution increases, the solubility of most solids typically increases as well. This phenomenon occurs because higher temperatures provide more kinetic energy to the molecules in the solution, allowing them to overcome intermolecular forces that hold solute particles together in a solid state. As a result, more solute can dissolve in the solvent, effectively increasing solubility.

This behavior is particularly evident in ionic and covalent compounds, where the dissolving process involves the breaking of bonds or attractive forces that require energy. By raising the temperature, the solvent molecules move more vigorously, which enhances their ability to break these bonds and pulls solute particles into solution.

In contrast, some gases behave differently, as their solubility usually decreases with increasing temperature due to reduced interaction between gas molecules and the solvent. However, since the question pertains to solids, the effective conclusion is that solubility increases with temperature in a saturated solution.