Skip to content
Dabour HubLEARN · PRACTICE · EXPLORESign inStudent

1.1.3Principles of Chemistry

Solutions

5 min read 4 parts Lesson 4 of 50 1 quiz

0%read

Section 1 of 4Solution Terms

1.1.3 Solutions

Dissolving produces a mixture in which the solute particles are spread evenly through the solvent.

Solvent
  • The liquid that dissolves another substance, such as the water in sea water, which is the most common solvent used in chemistry.
Solute
  • The substance that dissolves in the solvent, such as the salt in sea water, and its particles remain present after dissolving.
Solution
  • The mixture formed when a solute dissolves completely in a solvent, and it looks the same throughout.
Aqueous
  • A solution in water, shown by the state symbol (aq), which tells the reader that water is the solvent.

Section 2 of 4Soluble, Insoluble and Saturated

Soluble, Insoluble and Saturated
Soluble
  • A substance that dissolves in a given solvent, such as salt in water, forming a clear solution with no visible solid left.
Insoluble
  • A substance that does not dissolve, such as sand in water, so the solid stays visible and can be removed by filtration.
Saturated
  • A solution holding the maximum mass of solute possible at that temperature, with undissolved solid still visible in the mixture.
Unsaturated
  • A solution that can still dissolve more solute at the same temperature, so adding more solute will dissolve it.

Section 3 of 4Preparing a Saturated Solution

A saturated solution shows how much solid a fixed volume of solvent can dissolve at one temperature, which is the basis of solubility measurements.

1
Add a solute such as sodium chloride to a measured volume of water and stir until the solid dissolves completely.
2
Keep adding solid and stirring until some solid stays undissolved at the bottom of the beaker, which means the solution is saturated.
3
Allow the mixture to settle, then take a sample of the clear liquid that contains no undissolved solid, which is the saturated solution.

Section 4 of 4Exam Checklist & Tips

1.1.3 – Key Points for the Exam

  • Solvent The liquid in which a solute dissolves.
  • Solute The substance that dissolves in a solvent to form a solution.
  • Solution A mixture formed when a solute dissolves in a solvent.
  • Saturated solution A solution that cannot dissolve any more solute at that temperature.
  • Soluble Describes a substance that dissolves in a given solvent.
  • Insoluble Describes a substance that does not dissolve in a given solvent.

Common Mistakes

  • Saying that the solute disappears when it dissolves;
    • its particles are still present, spread throughout the solvent.
  • Confusing saturated with concentrated; a saturated solution of a sparingly soluble solute can be very dilute.
  • Saying that insoluble means harmful or useless;
    • it only means the substance does not dissolve in that particular solvent.
  • Forgetting that a substance can be soluble in one solvent and insoluble in another, so the solvent must always be named.
\n