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Solutions

Author: Nathan Lampson

 

A Solution is a mixture that is consistent throughout.

Components of a solution are distributed evenly throughout the mixture.

Example:

When salt is added to a glass of water and dissolved, a solution is created. Salt and water form a single phase of matter (liquid) where the two parts appear as one. Salt molecules are evenly distributed throughout the water molecules creating a solution.

Solvent

In a solution, the molecule that dissolves another molecule is called a solvent.  In our example, water is dissolving salt.  Water is the solvent in the mixture of salt and water.  

Solute

The molecule that is being dissolved in a solution is called the solute.  In the example of salt in water, salt is being dissolved.  Salt is a solute when dissolved in water.

Solutions