Solute and Solvent Combinations — Overview & Examples

Parts of a Solution

Solutions are made up of two parts:

• Solute - substance dissolved in solvent.

• Solvent - substance the solute is dissolved in.

There are many possible types and combinations of solutions. The common feature is having a solute dissolved in a solvent. Other features of msolutions include:

• Homogeneous mixture

• Transparent

• Does not separate sitting around

• Small solute particle size

If the particle size is large enough, it is considered a colloid, not a solution.

Solutes and Solvents

Solutions can be made of the three main states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Typically, solutions are thought of as a solid dissolved in a liquid. The solvent is considered the major species of the solution, or the substance there is more of.

There are seven main types of solutions, this list includes the types and examples:

• Solid in liquid - sea water, coffee, juice.

• Solid in solid - stainless steel, brass, other metal alloys.

• Liquid in liquid - vinegar, gasoline, cleaning products.

• Liquid in solid - dental amalgam (mercury in silver).

• Liquid in gas - water moisture in air.

• Gas in liquid - soda, seltzer water, aerated aquarium water.

• Gas in gas - air (mixture of gases), natural gas.

Solute and Solvent Combinations: Solutions Overview and Types

By Tyler DeWitt

In this video, Tyler explains solution types and how they are formed. Tyler first shows that a solution is a homogenous mixture of two or more substances. In contrast, a heterogenous mixture is not a solution.

Tyler then explains the difference between solvent and solute. The solute is the substance dissolving while the solvent is the substance that solute dissolves in.

After reminding us what solvent and solute are, Tyler explains the different combinations of solute and solvent. Gas, Liquid, and Solid can be mixed with liquid to form liquid solutions. On top of that, gas and gas can combine to create a gas solution. Similarly, solid and solid can combine together to form a solid solution.

Solute and Solvent Combinations: Different Combinations