Question

In a solution, the substance present in the largest amount is called the , whereas the other substances present are called the ___________.

Short answer

In a solution, the substance present in the largest amount is called the \textbf{solvent}, whereas the other substances present are called the \textbf{solute}.

Step-by-step solution

Define the term for the substance present in the largest amount in a solution

In a solution, the substance present in the largest amount is called the \textbf{solvent}.

Define the term for other substances present in a solution

The substances that are present in lesser amounts in the solution, compared to the solvent, are called \textbf{solute}.

Key concepts

Solvent

When mixing two or more substances to form a solution, the component found in the largest quantity is known as the solvent. It's the medium in which the other substances, or solutse, are dissolved. In everyday life, a common example of a solvent is water. It's often referred to as the 'universal solvent' because it can dissolve a vast array of substances, from salts to sugars, acids to gases.

It's fascinating how solvents work at the molecular level. Each solvent has a property known as polarity, which influences the types of solutes it can dissolve. Polar solvents, like water, are great at dissolving ionic and other polar compounds because of the way their molecules can surround and interact with the charged particles of the solute. Non-polar solvents, such as oils, are better suited for dissolving non-polar substances like fats and oils.

Solute

The substances that are dissolved within the solvent are collectively known as the solute. A solute can be a solid, liquid, or gas, and it is present in a smaller proportion compared to the solvent when creating a solution. The process of dissolution depends greatly on the nature of both the solute and the solvent. Solutes break into smaller particles or ions when they dissolve, and the interaction between these particles and the solvent's molecules will determine the extent to which the solute can dissolve.

Remember that solutes aren't limited to just one per solution; there can be many solutes within a single solvent, each contributing to the final properties of the solution. For example, when you stir sugar and salt into water to make a saline sugar solution, both sugar and salt are solutes in the water solvent.

Concentration

In solution chemistry, concentration refers to the amount of solute present in a given volume of solvent. In other words, it's a measure of how 'packed' the solute is within the solution. Understanding concentration is essential because it determines the strength and reactivity of the solution. The terms used to express concentration include molarity, molality, and mass percent, among others.

To put it in practical terms, the concentration of a sugar solution would inform you of how sweet the solution is—the higher the concentration of sugar, the sweeter the solution. This is crucial in various fields such as medicine, where the concentration of a drug in a solution can influence its therapeutic effectiveness, or in industries where the concentration of a solution affects the outcome of a product or a process.