Solute - Definition, Examples, Types, Properties, FAQs

Solute

A solute is the component that is dissolved in a solution or substance that dissolves in water. Since the concentration of solute inside the solution is measured by how much solute is dissolved within the solvent with accordance to how much of the given solvent is present.

Solvent

A solvent is usually a solid that dissolves in a liquid. Salt with water is a common example of a solute. To make a saline solution, the solute, salt, mixes in the solvent, water. Water vapour, on the other hand, is classified as a solute in air where nitrogen as well as oxygen is present in considerably higher concentrations.

Examples Of Solute and Solvent in Solution

Some common solute examples of solutes include sugar, salt, gases, metals, etc.

Characteristics Of Solute

1. A solution is a mixture of two or more homogeneous Components.

2. A solution's solute particles cannot be seen by the naked eye.

3. A solution prevents light beams from scattering.

4. A solution is stable.

5. The solute cannot be separated from a solution by the method of Filtration (or mechanically).

6. There is only one phase to it.

Properties Of Solute

Phase: The solute is the visible portion of a solution.

1. Quantity: Solute is the material present in the smaller amount in the solution.

2. State: A solute can exist in three states: solid, liquid, or gaseous.

3. Boiling point: The Solute has a greater boiling point than the solvent.

4. Dependability: The Solubility of the solution depends on the properties of the solute.

5. Heat transfer: Heat gets transferred to the solute when present in a solution.

6. Solubility: The physical properties of the solute, along with the solubility, are determined by the solute properties like surface area and molecular size.

7. Solvent is the material present in the maximum quantity in the solution.

Types Of Solutes

The solute is the component present in the smaller ratio when two liquids are combined to form a solution. In a 1 M sulfuric acid solution, for example, sulfuric acid is the solute and water is the solvent. Alloys and solid solutions are also referred to as "solute" and "solvent." In steel, carbon can be regarded as a solute.

The major types of solutes are:

1. Gaseous: When the solvent is a gas, only gases are mixed under certain conditions. The dissolved gases are called gaseous solutes. Example: air such as oxygen and other gases dissolved in nitrogen.

2. Liquid: Alcoholic beverages are basically solutions of a liquid in water.

3. Solid: These are the most common type of solutes Examples steel is a mixture of carbon atoms in a crystalline matrix of iron atoms. Alloys like bronze and many others. Polymers containing plasticizers.

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Mechanism of Solute Solvent Interaction

Intermolecular attractions between a solute particle and a solvent particle are known as solute-solvent interactions. It is improbable that dissolution will occur if the intermolecular interactions between solute particles differ from the intermolecular attractions between solvent particles. It's more likely because the intermolecular interactions between solute and solvent particles are similar. Solutes are mainly classified in three sub-groups, namely: ionic, polar, and nonpolar. Based on the nature of solute and solvent, solute-solvent interactions are classified as:

1. charge-dipole

2. dipole-dipole

3. dipole-induced dipole

4. induced dipole-induced dipole

Solubility

A substance's solubility refers to the greatest amount that may be dissolved in a given amount of solvent at a given temperature. The type of the solute and solvent, as well as temperature and pressure, all play a role. The solvent is present in higher amounts than the solute in fluid solutions. Concentration is the proportion of solute in a chemical solution to that same amount of solvent present.

Saturated and Unsaturated Solution

A mixture must be steady to be considered a real solution. When sugar is completely dissolved in water, it can be left to stand for an unlimited period without the sugar settling out. The dissolved sugar particles, together with the water, will flow through the filter. This is due to the small size of the dissolved particles in a solution, which are typically less than one nm in diameter. Depending on the type of substance dissolved, solute particles might be atoms, protons, or molecules.

Furthermore, the sugar-water solution will remain unchanged after passing through a filter. The dissolved sugar particles, together with the water, will flow through the filter. A saturated solution is one in which the solute dissolves to the point where it can no longer dissolve, and the undissolved solute sinks to the bottom. A non-saturated or unsaturated solution is one that completely dissolves the solute while leaving no residue (with less solute than a saturated solution).

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Some Solved Examples

Question 1: A beaker contains a solution of the substance ‘A’. Precipitation of substance ‘A’ takes place when a small amount of ‘A’ is added to the solution. The solution is _________.

1) saturated

2) (correct) supersaturated

3) unsaturated

4) concentrated

Solution:

Saturated, unsaturated, and supersaturated are terms used to describe the amount of solute that can be dissolved in a solvent at a given temperature:

Saturated
A solution that contains the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve at a given temperature. If more solute is added, it will not dissolve and will settle at the bottom of the container as an undissolved solid.

Unsaturated
A solution that contains less than the maximum amount of solute that can dissolve at a given temperature. More solute can be dissolved in an unsaturated solution.

Supersaturated
A solution that contains more solute than the maximum amount that can dissolve at a given temperature. Supersaturated solutions are unstable and the excess solute will usually crystallize, especially if disturbed.

Adding a small amount of solute to an already saturated solution will make the solution supersaturated and will lead to the precipitation of the solute.

Hence, the answer is the option (2).

Question 2: On dissolving sugar in water at room temperature solution feels cool to touch. Under which of the following cases dissolution of sugar will be most rapid?

1) Sugar crystals in cold water.

2) Sugar crystals in hot water.

3) Powdered sugar in cold water.

4) (correct) Powdered sugar in hot water.

Solution:

The solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more chemically non-reacting substances whose composition can be varied within certain limits. A solution that contains only two components is called a binary solution. The component that has the same physical state as the solution is the solvent. In case both the components have the same physical state, then the component that is present in a larger amount is called the solvent, and the other present in a smaller amount is called the solute.

The process by which a solvent and a solute form a solution is called dissolution. When you enjoy salad dressing made with oil and water, it has to be shaken to mix the two. When this occurs, you are eating a (short-lived) dissolution on your salad.

Dissolution is an endothermic process, which is why the solution is cool to the touch. Also, powdered sugars have a higher surface area than sugar crystals, which further promotes dissolution.

Hence, the answer is option (4).

Question 3: Select the correct statement out of the following regarding a binary solution

1) A component that is present in excess is a solute

2) (correct) The component that is present in excess is the solvent

3) In a solution, the physical state of the solute is retained.

4) In a solution, the physical state of the solvent is not retained.

Solution:

The solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more chemically non-reacting substances whose composition can be varied within certain limits. A solution that contains only two components is called a binary solution. The component that has the same physical state as the solution is the solvent. In case both the components have the same physical state, then the component which is present in a larger amount is called the solvent and the other present in a smaller amount is called the solute.

The solutions may be gaseous, liquids, and solids. The most common type of solution is the liquid solution (gas in liquid, liquid in liquid, solid in liquid). In all, we can divide solutions into nine different classes as follows:

In a solution, the species that is present in the same state as the solution is the solvent. In case both species are in the same physical state, then the species present in excess is the solvent.

Hence, the answer is option (2).

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