What are the solute and the solvent?

Before explaining the difference between solute and solvent, it is important to understand what each of them is in a chemical solution.

Un Soluto It is a substance that dissolves in another substance called a solvent. In a solution, the solute is the substance that is present in the smallest amount. For example, in a solution of sugar and water, the sugar is the solute.

On the other hand, a solvent It is the substance that dissolves the solute and is present in greater quantity in the solution. In the sugar and water solution, water is the solvent.

Difference between solute and solvent

The main difference between the solute and the solvent is their amount in a solution. As mentioned above, the solute is present in lesser quantity while the solvent is present in greater quantity.

Furthermore, another important difference is that the solute is the substance that dissolves in the solvent, while the solvent is what dissolves the solute.

Examples of solute and solvent

A common example of a solute and solvent is salt and water in a saline solution. In this case, salt is the solute and water is the solvent. Another example is alcohol and water in an alcohol solution. In this case, alcohol is the solute and water is the solvent.

Types of solutions

There are different types of solutions depending on the amount of solute and solvent present. Some of the main types of solutions are:

• Saturated solution: It is that in which the amount of solute dissolved in the solvent reaches its maximum limit.
• Unsaturated solution: It is one in which the amount of solute dissolved in the solvent does not reach its maximum limit.
• Supersaturated solution: It is one in which more solute has been dissolved than the solvent can contain at a given temperature and pressure.

How is the concentration of a solution measured?

The concentration of a solution is measured based on the amount of solute present in relation to the amount of solvent. Some of the most common ways to measure concentration are:

• Mass percentage: It is calculated by dividing the mass of the solute by the total mass of the solution and multiplying by 100.
• Molarity: It is calculated by dividing the number of moles of solute by the volume of the solution in liters.
• Molality: It is calculated by dividing the number of moles of solute by the mass of the solvent in kilograms.

In conclusion, the difference between the solute and the solvent lies in their quantity in a solution and their role in the solution. Additionally, it is important to understand the importance of measuring the concentration of a solution for use in different chemical applications.

You may also be interested in this related content:

• Difference Between Ionization and Dissociation
• Difference between carbon and charcoal
• Difference between heat of formation and heat of reaction