Editing Solubility (section)

==Molecular view==
Solubility occurs under dynamic equilibrium, which means that solubility results from the simultaneous and opposing processes of [[solvation|dissolution]] and phase joining (e.g. [[precipitation (chemistry)|precipitation]] of [[solids]]). A stable state of the solubility equilibrium occurs when the rates of dissolution and re-joining are equal, meaning the relative amounts of dissolved and non-dissolved materials are equal. If the solvent is removed, all of the substance that had dissolved is recovered.

The term ''solubility'' is also used in some fields where the solute is altered by [[solvolysis]]. For example, many metals and their [[oxide]]s are said to be "soluble in hydrochloric acid", although in fact the aqueous acid irreversibly degrades the solid to give soluble products. Most ionic solids dissociate when dissolved in polar solvents. In those cases where the solute is not recovered upon evaporation of the solvent, the process is referred to as solvolysis. The thermodynamic concept of solubility does not apply straightforwardly to solvolysis.

When a solute dissolves, it may form several species in the solution. For example, an [[aqueous]] solution of cobalt(II) chloride can afford {{chem2|[Co(H2O)6](2+), [CoCl(H2O)5]+, CoCl2(H2O)2}}, each of which interconverts.