Question

Identify the solute and solvent in each of the following solutions. (a) seawater (b) steel, an alloy of iron which contains up to \(1.5 \%\) carbon (c) oxygenated water

Short answer

The solutes and solvents for the solutions are as follows: (a) Seawater: Solute - Salts, Solvent - Water. (b) Steel: Solute - Carbon, Solvent - Iron. (c) Oxygenated water: Solute - Oxygen, Solvent - Water.

Step-by-step solution

Identify Solute and Solvent in Seawater

Seawater is a solution comprised of different salts and water. The salts are in smaller amounts and are dissolved in the water, so the solute in seawater is the salts (including salt, magnesium, calcium, and many others), and the solvent is water.

Identify Solute and Solvent in Steel

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon where carbon is up to 1.5%. In this case, the solute that is dissolved is carbon (since it is in lesser quantity) and iron is the solvent (since it is in larger quantity and facilitates the dissolution).

Identify Solute and Solvent in Oxygenated Water

Oxygenated water is basically water that has extra oxygen. Here, oxygen is the solute (since it is the substance being dissolved) and water acts as the solvent (since it facilitates dissolution of oxygen).

Key concepts

Seawater Composition

Seawater is a complex solution found abundantly in our oceans. To understand its composition, we must recognize that it's primarily water, but this water contains dissolved elements which form its unique characteristics. The ocean is salty mainly because of the presence of a mix of minerals

• Salts: The major salts present are sodium chloride, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. These elements exist in smaller quantities and dissolve in the water, making them the solutes.
• Water: As the primary component and the medium in which the salts are dissolved, water serves as the solvent.

Understanding the roles of solute and solvent in seawater is crucial as it helps explain processes vital to marine life and human use, such as saltwater filtration and desalination. Moreover, seawater composition plays a significant role in maintaining the Earth's climate and weather patterns.

Steel Alloy Chemistry

Steel is an essential material used globally for construction, transportation, and many other purposes. As an alloy, steel's chemistry is fascinating and quite purposeful. An alloy is a solution where metals or a mix of metal and non-metal elements create a new material. In the case of steel:

• Iron: The primary component of steel, iron acts as the solvent because it is in greater proportion.
• Carbon: Present in up to 1.5% in typical steel, carbon is the solute in this mixture. Although it's a small component, carbon critically strengthens and hardens the structure.

The unique properties of steel—such as its strength, durability, and ability to be shaped—are largely due to its composition as an alloy. By understanding steel's chemistry, manufacturers can create various types of steel with properties tailored for specific applications like stainless or tool steel.

Solutions in Chemistry

In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances. The two primary components are the solute and the solvent. Recognizing these components is fundamental to understanding how solutions behave:

• Solvent: This is often the component present in the greatest amount. It's the medium in which the solute is dissolved. Water is known as the "universal solvent" due to its ability to dissolve many different substances.
• Solute: This is the substance that is dissolved in the solvent. It is present in lesser amounts than the solvent.

The process of forming solutions is essential in many scientific and practical applications—from medicine to food production. Understanding how solutes and solvents interact can lead to innovations in fields such as pharmacology, logistics, and environmental science. By exploring solutions, scientists can harness and manipulate chemical properties to develop new materials and processes.