Solute and Solvent

Solute and solvent are the two components of the solution that are used to form a solution we take, a solute and dissolve it in a solvent to form a solution. Usually, the solid substance that is in less quantity is called the solute and the substance that is in larger quantity is called the solvent. (Generally, solvents are liquid in nature) Water is a universal solvent as it can dissolve various substances. 

In this article, we will learn about Solutes and Solvents and their examples. We will also go through the Similarities between these two terms. Later, we will explore the difference between solute and solvent.

Solute Definition

The solute is defined as follows:

The solute is the substance in the solution that gets dissolved. 

The amount of solvent becomes more and greater than the Solute in the Solution. One of the easiest examples for better understanding is Salt and Water, in which salt is easily dissolved in water. Solute has the potential to take various forms like solid, liquid, or gaseous. The solvent or the material that dissolves the Solvent in the solution mostly separates the molecules of the solute and then distributes it evenly.

Types of Solutes

Solutes are classified according to the aspects of physical and Chemical properties. Some of these types of Solutes are discussed below:

• Ionic Solutes: Ionic Solutes are made up of ions that get dissolved into a solvent by dissociating into their constituent ions.
• Molecular Solutes: Molecular Solutes are made up of molecules that get dissolved into a solvent through weak intermolecular forces.
• Acidic and Basic Solutes: These types of solutes are propertied by their ability to donate or accept protons (H⁺ ions). 
• Colloidal Solutes: Colloidal solutes are made up of particles that are bigger than the molecules of the solvent.

Characteristics of Solute

There are various characteristics that a solute in a solution can have, some of those characteristics are as follows:

• A solution is a homogeneous mixture of more than two different substances.
• The particles present in solutes in a solution cannot be seen by the normal naked eye.
• A solution cannot scatter the light. 
• A solute solution is stable.

Examples of Solute

There are many examples of Solute which are in different forms:

• Gaseous Solutes: This includes Solutes like Oxygen and Hydrogen Gas, etc.
• Solid Solutes: This includes Camphor, Sugar, Salt, etc.
• Liquid Solutes: This includes Solutes like Ethanol and Mercury.
• Other than these solutes, anything which gets dissolves in any solvent is an example of a solute.

Solvent Definition

The Solvent is the type of solution that is present in the most quantity than the Solute. It’s mostly liquid in which solute gets dissolved. The form of Solvent is mostly liquid. The derivation of the Solvent word has the meaning “to loosen or unite” in the Latin language. In Chemistry knowledge, Water is considered the most impactful Solvent among all other Solvents. Water is also known as the universal solvent the reason of better dissolver than other liquids. One more reason that makes the Water more powerful, is the polarity of Water. 

Types of Solvent

Solvents are divided into various types according to various properties of chemicals, polarity, and uses. Below we have defined the types of solvents.

• Polar Solvent: Polar Solvents are particular positive charge solvents that are charged on one end and a partial negative charge on the other end, which allows them to dissolve polar solutes. 
• Non-Polar Solvents: Non-Polar Solvents have no partial charges and cannot dissolve the polar solutes.
• Aprotic Solvents: Aprotic Solvents does not contain acidic hydrogen atom and cannot donate protons. 
• Protic Solvents: Protic Solvents contain an acidic hydrogen atom that also can donate protons.

Characteristics of Solvent

The solvent can be identified according to its characteristic. Below we have discussed various characteristics of Solvent substances. 

• Polarity: Solvent substances are in a polar or nonpolar form which depends on the distribution of electric charge in the molecule. Some of the polar solvents are water and alcohol, nonpolar solvents are hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents.
• Boiling Point: The Boiling point of a solvent is the temperature at which it changes from liquid form to gaseous form. Water has a higher boiling point that evaporated very slowly.
• Density: Density is defined as the mass per unit volume. Chloroform has a higher density than water, so sinks to the bottom of the container. 
• Viscosity: Viscosity defines the resistance to flow. Solvents with higher viscosity points are thick and flow slowly. Honey is considered as the high viscosity solution.

Examples of Solvent

Like Solutes, there are also various examples of Solvents that are also in the forms of Gaseous, Liquid, and Solid:

• Gaseous Solvents: Gaseous Solvent is Nitrogen Gas.
• Solid Solvents: Solid Solvents are Gold, Sodium, and Palladium.
• Liquid Solvents: Liquid Solvent is Water, which is considered a powerful Solvent among other liquids. 

Similarities of Solute and Solvent

Solute and Solvent have some similarities among them. Below we have added some of the similarities between Solute and Solvent Solutions:

• Solute and Solvent both are necessary to form a solution.
• Solute and Solvent are typically pure Substances.
• Both solutes and solvents can exist as solids, liquids, or gases.
• Both solutes and Solvents can undergo changes in pressure and temperature which can further affect their behaviors.
• Solute and Solvent both affect the properties of the solution such as boiling point, freezing point, and density.
• Solute and Solvent can be separated from each other.
• Solute and Solvent both can be measured.

Difference Between Solute and Solvent

The key differences between solute and solvents are as follows:

Parameters	Solute	Solvent
Definition	A substance that is dissolved in another substance	A substance that dissolves another substance
Quantity	Solute has less amount of quantity in a solution.	A solvent has more amount of quantity in a solution.
Action	Gets dissolved by the solvent	Dissolves the solute
Physical Form	The solute can be in Solid, Liquid, or Gaseous form.	The solvent can also be in Solid, Liquid, or Gaseous form.
Effect on Solution	Responsible for changing the properties of the solution.	Responsible for determining the properties of the solution.
Concentration	The solute is usually less concentrated.	The solvent is mostly more concentrated.
Separation	The solute can be separated from the solvent.	The solvent can be separated from the solution.
Example	Examples include salt, sugar, and gas in a soda	Examples include water, ethanol, and acetone

Read More,

• Solubility
• Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Mixture
• Saturated and Unsaturated Solutions

FAQs on Solute and Solvent

Q1. What is a Solution?

Answer:

Solution is defined as the homogeneous mixture of two or more substances.

Q2. What is a Solute?

Answer:

In a solution, the solute is the component that is present in a smaller amount.

Q3. What is a Solvent?

Answer:

In a solution, the solvent is the component that is present in a larger amount.

Q4. What is Difference between a Solute and a Solvent?

Answer:

In a solution, the substance that is being dissolved is called the solute and the substance that dissolves the solute is called solvent. Other than that in a solution, the solute is present in smaller amounts whereas the solvent is present in larger amounts.

Q5. What are Some Examples of Solutes and Solvents?

Answer:

Some examples of solutes and solvent include

• Solute: Sugar, Salt, Carbon Dioxide, etc.
• Solvent: Water, Alcohol, Acetone, etc.

Q6. Can a Substance be both a Solute and a Solvent?

Answer:

Yes, a substance can be both a solute and a solvent. For example, when 30 ml of alcohol is dissolved in 70 ml of water then alcohol is solute but if some Naphthalene is dissolved in alcohol, in this case, alcohol is solvent for Naphthalene.

Q7. What Factors Affect Solubility?

Answer:

Factors that affect solubility are as follows:

• Temperature
• Pressure
• Chemical properties of the solute and solvent.

Q8. What is Difference between a Saturated and Unsaturated Solution?

Answer:

A saturated solution is one in which the solvent has dissolved the maximum amount of solute that it can hold at a given temperature and pressure whereas an unsaturated solution is one in which the solvent has not yet dissolved the maximum amount of solute that it can hold at a given temperature and pressure.