Question

Identify the solute & the solvent in the following solutions:

(a) Sugar solution (b) Air (c) Grains (d) Aerated drinks.

Answer 1

A simple solution is basically two substances that are evenly mixed together. One of them is called the solute and the other is the solvent. A solute is a substance to be dissolved. The solvent is the one doing the dissolving.

a) Solute-Sugar and Solvent-Water
b) Solute-Oxygen and all other minor components and Solvent-Nitrogen
c) Grains are solute hence solvent can't be defined for a solute.
d} There is no solute and solvent in aerated drinks because it is a colloid and for colloid, the solute is called dispersed phase and the solvent is called dispersion medium, and the dispersed phase in the aerated drink is carbon dioxide and the dispersion medium is water.