A solution is a homogeneous mixture made up of two main components:
1. Solute
- The substance that gets dissolved.
- Usually present in a smaller amount.
- Can be solid, liquid, or gas.
- Example: In saltwater, salt (NaCl) is the solute.
2. Solvent
- The substance that does the dissolving.
- Usually present in a larger amount.
- Determines the physical state of the solution (solid, liquid, or gas).
- Example: In saltwater, water (Hâ‚‚O) is the solvent.
Examples of solutions:
- Gas in gas: Air → oxygen and other gases (solutes) dissolved in nitrogen (solvent).
- Solid in liquid: Saltwater → salt (solute) in water (solvent).
- Gas in liquid: Soda → carbon dioxide (solute) in water (solvent).
In short:
A solution always has two components: solute + solvent.