Question

Is a solution a homogeneous or a heterogeneous mixture? Give an example of an aqueous solution.

Short answer

A solution is a homogeneous mixture. An example of an aqueous solution is saltwater.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Mixtures

Homogeneous mixtures are mixtures where the components are uniformly distributed throughout. In contrast, heterogeneous mixtures have components that are not uniformly distributed.

Defining a Solution

A solution is a specific type of homogeneous mixture where one substance (the solute) is dissolved in another substance (the solvent).

Identifying an Aqueous Solution

An aqueous solution is a solution where water is the solvent. A common example is saltwater, where salt (sodium chloride) is the solute and water is the solvent.

Concluding the Type of Mixture

Since a solution is a homogeneous mixture, it is uniform throughout.

Key concepts

solutions

When we talk about solutions, we refer to a special type of mixture. A solution is formed when one substance, called the solute, is dissolved in another substance, called the solvent. This combination results in a homogeneous mixture, meaning that the composition is uniform throughout the entire solution.
A common example of a solution is sugar dissolved in water. Here, sugar is the solute, and water is the solvent. When sugar dissolves in water, it distributes evenly, making the mixture homogenous.

• Solutions can be in various states: solid, liquid, or gas.
• They are vital in chemistry due to their uniform properties.

For instance, air is a gaseous solution where nitrogen is the solvent and other gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide are solutes. Remember, in every solution, the solute is the substance that gets dissolved, whereas the solvent is the substance doing the dissolving.

aqueous solutions

An aqueous solution is a type of solution where water acts as the solvent. This means the substance being dissolved (the solute) is mixed with water. Water is often called the 'universal solvent' because it can dissolve more substances than any other liquid. This makes aqueous solutions extremely important in both nature and science.
A perfect example of an aqueous solution is saltwater. In this case, salt (sodium chloride) is the solute, and water is the solvent. When salt is mixed with water, it dissolves evenly, resulting in a uniform solution.

• Many biological fluids, such as blood and cell cytoplasm, are aqueous solutions.
• They play a crucial role in chemical reactions, transport processes, and maintaining life.

Understanding aqueous solutions helps explain numerous processes in nature, from the way plants absorb nutrients to how our body processes food and medications.

solute and solvent

Every solution consists of two main parts: the solute and the solvent. The solute is the substance that gets dissolved, and the solvent is the medium that dissolves the solute.
For instance, if you mix salt in water to make saltwater, salt is the solute, and water is the solvent. In this example, the salt breaks down and disperses uniformly throughout the water, creating a homogeneous mixture.

• The amount of solute that can be dissolved in a solvent varies. It is defined as the solubility of the solute.
• Temperature and pressure often influence solubility. For example, more sugar can dissolve in warm water than in cold water.

One interesting point is the relative amount between solute and solvent. For instance, in sugar water, if you keep adding sugar beyond a certain point, it will no longer dissolve and form a saturated solution. Learning about solutes and solvents provides a solid foundation for understanding the behavior and characteristics of solutions in chemistry.