Dissolution of a solute in a solvent to form a solution
• Ethanol
• Cyclohexane
• Heptane
• Xylene
• Hexane
• Toluene
• Acetone
• Petroleum spirits
• Dichloromethane
• 1.1.1-trichloroethane
• Methanol
• Trichloroethylene
• Methyl ethyl ketone
• Perchloroethylene
• White spirit
• Chloroform
• Pentane
• Tetrachloroethylene
• Benzene
• Turpentine
Strength of Solutions
•The amount of solute added
Types of solutions based on presence or absence of water:
The solutions which have water as the solvent are called “aqueous” solutions. An example is a solution of salt and water. The substances that are dissolved in water are separated into individual components called ions. In saltwater, the ionization results in sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) ions. Svante Arrhenius identified the ionic nature of liquid solutions and was awarded the Nobel Prize for his contribution in the year 1903. Water has polarity and is considered an ideal solvent and this property is important for many biochemical reactions. Although water is called a universal solvent it cannot dissolve many compounds like oil.
Some solutions have solvents other than water like benzene, ether, methanol, and petrol and are called non-aqueous solutions. An example of such a non-aqueous solution is sulphur dissolved in carbon disulphide.
Types of solutions based on the amount of solute:
• Unsaturated solution: The solution can take in more solute at a definite temperature.
Examples of Solutions:
Liquid solutions
- Liquids solutions can dissolve all forms of matter including solids, liquids, and gases as they have liquid as the solvent. Some examples of liquid solutions are provided below:
Solid solutions
- In these solutions, the solvent is solid and can dissolve all forms of matter including solids, liquids, and gases. Some examples of solid solutions are provided below:
• Liquid in solid – Amalgamation of mercury in gold, the formation of moist solids and the dissolution of hexane in paraffin wax.
FAQs on Properties of Solution
1. What is a solution in chemistry?
In chemistry, a solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. This means the mixture is uniform throughout, and you cannot see the individual components. The substance that dissolves is called the solute, and the substance it dissolves in is called the solvent.
2. What are the key characteristics of a true solution?
A true solution has several distinct properties:
- Homogeneous: The composition is uniform throughout the mixture.
- Particle Size: The solute particles are extremely small (less than 1 nanometer in diameter) and cannot be seen with the naked eye.
- Stability: The solute particles do not settle down when the solution is left undisturbed.
- Filterability: The solute cannot be separated from the solvent by simple filtration.
- Light Scattering: It does not scatter a beam of light, meaning it does not show the Tyndall effect.
3. Can you give some examples of solutions from everyday life?
Yes, solutions are all around us! Common examples include saltwater (salt dissolved in water), sugar water (sugar dissolved in water), air (a solution of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, and argon), and alloys like brass (a solid solution of zinc and copper).
4. What is the difference between a solute and a solvent?
The main difference lies in their roles and quantities. The solvent is the substance that does the dissolving and is typically present in the largest amount. The solute is the substance that gets dissolved and is present in a smaller amount. For example, in a sugar-water solution, water is the solvent and sugar is the solute.
5. How is a solution different from a suspension and a colloid?
The primary difference is particle size and stability. In a solution, particles are tiny and do not settle. In a suspension (like muddy water), particles are much larger, visible, and will settle over time. A colloid (like milk or fog) has intermediate-sized particles that remain suspended and can scatter light (Tyndall effect), unlike a true solution.
6. Why don't the particles in a solution settle down or scatter light?
This is because the solute particles in a solution are incredibly small, at the molecular or ionic level. They are so tiny that they become evenly distributed among the solvent molecules and are not large enough to be affected by gravity, so they don't settle down. They are also too small to obstruct and scatter a beam of light, which is why a clear solution appears transparent.
7. What are the different types of solutions that can be formed?
Solutions can be formed by mixing different states of matter. While liquid solutions are most common, other types exist:
- Gas in Gas: Air (oxygen in nitrogen).
- Gas in Liquid: Carbonated drinks (CO2 in water).
- Liquid in Liquid: Vinegar (acetic acid in water).
- Solid in Liquid: Saltwater (salt in water).
- Solid in Solid: Alloys like steel (carbon in iron).
8. What does it mean for a solution to be saturated or unsaturated?
These terms describe how much solute is dissolved in a solvent at a specific temperature. An unsaturated solution is one that can still dissolve more solute. A saturated solution contains the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved at that temperature; any more added solute will not dissolve.
