Question

Identify the solute and solvent in 80% solution of ethyl alcohol with water.

Answer 1

• When a solute is dissolved in a solvent, it gives rise to a solution.
• The size of particles (solute) is less than 1 nm, indicating that the size is too small to be seen with our naked eye.
• $80\%$ solution of ethyl alcohol in water implies that $80\mathrm{mL}$ of ethyl alcohol in water i.e total volume of solution is $100\mathrm{mL}$$(80+20=100\mathrm{mL})$
• Here $80\%$ indicates the volume percentage of the solution, i.e if the components are liquids we need to express the concentration of the solution in volume percentage (ethyl alcohol and water).
• Volume percentage:- The ratio of the volume of a solute to that of the volume of solution.
• $\mathrm{Volume}\%=(\mathrm{Volume}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{solute}/\mathrm{Volume}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{solution})\mathrm{x}100$
• The component which is greater in amount is solvent and the component which is lesser in amount is called the solute.

Therefore, ethyl alcohol is the solvent and water is the solute.