A solution is made up of a solute and a solvent.

A solute is the substance that is being dissolved.

The solvent is the substance doing the dissolving and is present in the larger amount.

The solvent and the solute can be solids, liquids or gases.

When the solute is a solid like salt and the solvent is a liquid like water, a salt water solution is formed.

When the solute is a gas like carbon dioxide and the solvent is a liquid like water, a solution of carbonated water is formed.

Notice that the solution formed is in the same physical state as the solvent.

Dissolving a Solute

When you stir a teaspoon of salt into one cup of water, the salt dissolves and the water is now salty.

If you stir a teaspoon of sand in a cup of water, does the sand dissolve?

No, the sand will not dissolve because there is no attraction between the sand particles and the water particles.

The rule to remember when making solutions is:

This means that solute particles that are polar will dissolve in solvents that are polar and solute particles that are nonpolar will dissolve in solvents that are nonpolar. Solute particles that are nonpolar will not dissolve in polar solvents just like solute particles that are polar will not dissolve in nonpolar solvents.

Water is one of the most common solvents and has been called the universal solvent. Water is polar and will dissolve polar solutes.

 
 

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