Question

Identify the solute and solvent in each of the following solutions. (a) an IV solution that contains a water-soluble drug and water (b) nail polish remover, which usually contains mostly ethyl acetate and some ethanol and some water (c) carbonated water, which is an aqueous solution of dissolved \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) gas

Short answer

For (a) the solute is the water-soluble drug and the solvent is water. For (b) the solutes are ethanol and water and the solvent is ethyl acetate. For (c) the solute is \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) and the solvent is water.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Solute and Solvent for Solution (a)

An IV solution is mostly made up of water with a small quantity of a water-soluble drug. Here, the water-soluble drug is the solute (as it's being dissolved) and water is the solvent (as it's the substance doing the dissolving).

Identify the Solute and Solvent for Solution (b)

Nail polish remover is primarily made up of ethyl acetate. Water and ethanol are present, but in relatively smaller amounts compared to the rest of the solution. Ethyl acetate acts as the solvent and ethanol and water are the solutes.

Identify the Solute and Solvent for Solution (c)

Carbonated water is an aqueous solution where \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) gas is dissolved in water. Here, \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) is the solute and water is the solvent.

Key concepts

Solute and Solvent Identification

In a solution, two main components are present: the solute and the solvent. Understanding these components helps clarify the nature of the solution itself. The solute is the substance that dissolves, while the solvent is the substance in which the solute dissolves.

Key Characteristics:

• Solute: Usually present in a smaller amount, often dictates the solution's properties.
• Solvent: Usually present in a larger quantity, it is the medium in which the solute is dissolved.

Let's look at a real-world example: In an intravenous (IV) solution containing a water-soluble drug and water, the water-soluble drug is the solute, while water acts as the solvent. The substance present in a larger amount (water) dissolves the smaller amount substance (drug). Identifying the solute and solvent is essential because it helps predict how a solution behaves, such as how quickly it can deliver a drug in medical applications.

Aqueous Solutions

An aqueous solution is any solution where water is the solvent. It's a common type of solution that you encounter daily, from everyday drinks to complex chemical reactions. Water's unique properties, including its polarity and ability to dissolve many substances, make it an excellent solvent.

Examples of Aqueous Solutions:

• Carbonated Water: This is an example where carbon dioxide (\( \)) is dissolved in water, making the water the solvent and carbon dioxide the solute.
• Sugar in Water: Often seen in sweetened beverages, sugar is the solute, and water is the solvent.

Aqueous solutions are fundamental in chemistry because they facilitate a variety of chemical reactions, allowing chemists to explore reactions, molecular interactions, and properties of dissolved substances. When learning about solutions, considering whether they're aqueous can help predict how the solution will react under different conditions.

Chemical Solubility

Chemical solubility refers to the maximum amount of a solute that can dissolve in a solvent at a given temperature and pressure. Different substances have different solubilities which, in turn, determine how they can be used practically.

Factors Affecting Solubility:

• Temperature: Generally, solubility increases with temperature for solids and liquids but decreases for gases.
• Pressure: Affects mainly gases; higher pressure often increases gas solubility in liquids.
• Nature of Solute and Solvent: "Like dissolves like;" polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents, and nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents.

In the nail polish remover example, ethyl acetate acts as a solvent with ethanol and water dissolving into it as the solutes. The choice of solvent like ethyl acetate is crucial as it readily solubilizes a mix of different solutes, emphasizing the importance of understanding solubility for applications ranging from cosmetics to pharmaceuticals.