A solution can be defined as a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances. These substances act either as a solute or as a solvent. We all come across various types of solutions in our daily lives. Air that we breathe is a solution of many gases. Similarly, tea and coffee are also solutions.
What is a solvent? A solvent is a substance that dissolves solute particles to form a solution. Solvent is mostly liquid but is can be gaseous in some cases and rarely a solid as well. Solvent makes up most of the volume of solution, i.e. volume of solvent is higher than that of solute in a solution.
Whats is a solute? A solute is a substance that gets dissolved in the solvent to form a solution. Amount of solute is always lesser than the amount of solvent in a solution.
Major Differences Between Solute and Solvent with Examples
| Basis of Comparison | Solute | Solvent |
|---|---|---|
| Boiling Point | Solute has the boiling point higher than the solvent. | Solvent’s boiling point is lower than that of the solute. |
| Physical State | May be in solid, liquid or gaseous state. | Mostly solvent is liquid, but it can be gaseous and solid too. |
| Physical State of Solution | Physical state of the solution may or may not be same as that of the solute. | Almost always the physical state of solution is same as the physical state of the solvent. |
| Quantity | In a solution solute is lesser than solvent in quantity. | Solvent makes up most of the volume of the solution. |
| Heat Transfer | Heat is transferred to the solute. | Heat is transferred from the solvent. |
| Phase | Solute particles disperses uniformly throughout the solution. | Solvent makes the medium in which solute disperses. |
| Solubility | Solubility of solute depends on its properties like surface area and molecular size. | Solubility of a solvent depends on its properties like polarity. |
Examples of Solutes and Solvents
Solutes
- Salt in seawater
- Sugar in tea
- Alcohol in alcoholic drinks
- Mercury dissolved in silver (to form amalgam)
- Protons dissolved in cytosol
Solvents
- Water
- Alcohols
- Esters
- Hydrocarbons
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