What Is a Solution? — Overview & Examples

Properties of Solutions

A solution is a uniform mixture where two components are evenly distributed. The particles of each are very small and become completely mixed together. (This is unlike a suspension, in which the particles are bigger and not completely dissolved in the liquid.) A solution is a homogeneous mixture. If you look at a solution, it will appear transparent, meaning that you will be able to see right through it.

In a solution, the two substances being mixed are the solvent and the solute. The solvent is the majority of the solution. In other words, it is the substance dissolving the other substance. The solute is the minor part of the solution, or the substance being dissolved.

The key idea is that the small amount of dissolved solute is evenly distributed throughout the solvent.

Solvents can only dissolve solutes that are like them in terms of polarity. Memorize the phrase "like dissolves like". It means that only polar solvents can dissolve polar solutes, while nonpolar solvents can dissolve nonpolar solutes.

Polar solvents cannot dissolve nonpolar solutes, and vice versa.

If your solution isn't holding as much solvent as you want it to, you can heat it up. Increasing the temperature increases solubility, which is a solute's ability to be dissolved.

Practice

$$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Vocabulary Review:}}$$

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Solution}}$ : A homogeneous mixture made of two or more substances

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Solute}}$ : The substance dissolved in another substance

$\color{#8925AE}{\text{Solvent}}$ : The substance doing the dissolving. It is the majority of the solution

What Is a Solution?

A solution is a homogenenous mixture composed of one or more solutes uniformly dissolved in a solvent.

While we most often think of solutions as solids dissolved in liquids (for example, salt dissolved in water, sugar dissolved in tea, etc.), both solvents and solutes can be solids, liquids, or gases.

The main requirement for solutions is that the solute is distributed uniformly (evenly) throughout the solvent.

The most important solvent in biology is water. While there are many important solutes, the two you're most likely to see are salt and sugar (glucose).

Vocabulary:

1. Solution
2. Solvent
3. Solute

What Is a Solution?

A solution is made up of a solute and a solvent. Basically, a solute is dissolved into a solvent until they become a homogenous mixture where the molecules are evenly distributed.

For example, salt water is a solution made up of salt dissolved in water.

(Video) What Is a Solution?

by Don't Memorise

In this video, you will learn about different types of mixtures. But wait—aren't we supposed to be learning about solutions? Well, a solution is actually a special type of mixture. Watch the video above to find out how these two terms are similar and different.

You will also see examples of how solutions are not always liquids. In fact, they can be in any state of matter.