Question

What is a solution? Give five examples of solutions that can be found in your home or dorm.

Short answer

A solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances where one substance, the solute, is fully dissolved in another substance, the solvent. Five examples of solutions commonly found at home or in a dorm are tap water, brewed tea or coffee, glass cleaner, vinegar, and air fresheners.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding a Solution

A solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances where one substance, called the solute, is completely dissolved into another substance, called the solvent. They are merged into one phase physically but not chemically. They can be in any state: solid, liquid, or gas. Examples include saline solution where table salt (solute) is dissolved into water (solvent) to form a liquid solution.

Identifying Solutions at Home

Now, look around your home or dormitory. Start in the kitchen or bathroom where cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products are usually kept. Many of them are solutions. Some examples of solutions found at home or in a dormitory are: \(1)\) tap water, which is a solution of water with minor amounts of mineral ions, \(2)\) brewed coffee or tea, where water acts as the solvent to extract flavor compounds from the coffee grounds or tea leaves, \(3)\) glass cleaner, which is usually an aqueous solution of ammonia and other chemicals, \(4)\) vinegar, which is a solution of acetic acid in water, \(5)\) and air fresheners, which often contain scented oil (solute) dispersed in a base of alcohol/water solvent.

Key concepts

Homogeneous Mixture

Solutions are a fascinating topic in chemistry, and they fall under the category of homogeneous mixtures. A homogeneous mixture means that the components that make it up are evenly distributed throughout the mixture. This uniformity is what distinguishes them from heterogeneous mixtures, where the different parts can be seen and identified.

In the case of solutions, the solute dissolves in the solvent to form this even distribution. Regardless of where you sample a drop or cup from the solution, it will have the same composition and properties. This consistent composition is the hallmark of a homogeneous mixture. For example, in a saline solution, the salt is uniformly distributed in water, making it the same throughout.

Solute and Solvent

Understanding the components of a solution is key to grasping its chemistry. A solution consists of two main parts: the "solute" and the "solvent."

The solute is the substance that gets dissolved. It is usually present in a smaller amount compared to the solvent. The solvent, on the other hand, is the substance that does the dissolving. It is typically present in a larger quantity.

The nature of solute-solvent interactions is crucial. For example, water is known as the "universal solvent" because it can dissolve a wide variety of substances. In a sugar-water solution, sugar is the solute and water is the solvent. The sugar crystals disappear as they dissolve in the water, showcasing a chemical interaction at a molecular level without a chemical reaction forming new substances.

Examples of Solutions

Examples of solutions are all around us, especially at home. It's interesting to see practical examples of this concept beyond the classroom.

Here are some common solutions found at home:

• Tap Water: Contains dissolved minerals and gases.
• Brewed Coffee or Tea: Water extracts and dissolves compounds from coffee beans or tea leaves.
• Vinegar: A mixture of acetic acid and water used for cooking and cleaning.
• Glass Cleaner: Often contains ammonia dissolved in water.
• Air Fresheners: Scented oil dispersed in a base of alcohol or water.

These solutions involve a variety of solutes and solvents, demonstrating the versatility and importance of solutions in daily life.