Fundamental concepts in chemistry: Components and types of solutions

A homogeneous mixture of two or more substances is known as a solution.

1. Components of solution:

There are two fundamental components of a solution.

            I) Solute

            II) Solvent

I. Solute:

The substance added or present in minute or lesser amount among two basic components of a solution is known as solute. For instance, in a solution of 1 gram salt dissolved in 100 mL of water, salt is considered as solute because it is present in lesser amount than water.

II. Solvent:

The substance present in higher amount among two components of a solution is known as solvent. In other words, solvent is the component of a solution in which solute is added or dissolved. For example, in aforementioned solution of 1 gram salt into 100 mL water, water is considered as solvent.

2. Types of solutions:

Solutions can be classified according to concentration and saturation point. Solutions are divided into two main types depending upon the concentration of that solution. These two types are given as follows

            I) Dilute solution

            II) Concentrated solution

I. Dilute solution:

The solution in which minute or small quantity of solute is added is known as dilute solution. For example, 3 grams of sugar added in 100 mL of water or 5 grams of salt present in 100 mL of water are dilute solutions.

II. Concentrated solution:

The solution which possess high amount of solute dissolved in solvent is known as concentrated solution. For example, if we add 20 grams of sugar in 50 mL of water it will be considered as a concentrated solution.

According to saturation point or capability to dissolve the given solvent solutions can be classified as

            I) Saturated solution

            II) Unsaturated solution

I) Saturated solution:

A saturated solution can be defined as a solution which dissolved solute up to its saturation point and is not capable of dissolving further amount of solute. At this point of saturation if further solute is added to this solution it will not dissolved, instead it will settled down in the bottom.

II) Unsaturated solution:

The solution in which solute is present in a lower amount than its saturation point and it is capable of dissolving further amount of solute is known as unsaturated solution.

According to composition solutions can be divided into

            I) Homogeneous solution

            II) Heterogeneous solution

 I) Homogeneous solution:

A solution possessing uniform composition and shows consistent properties is known as homogeneous solution. When salt is dissolved in water it forms a homogeneous solution.

II. Heterogeneous solution:

A solution which does not possesses a uniform composition and properties in known as heterogeneous solution. When sand is mixed in water it forms a heterogeneous solution.

According to media solutions can be divided into following two types

            I) Aqueous solution

            II) Non-aqueous solution

I. Aqueous solution:

A solution is categorized as aqueous solution if the media or solvent is water. For example, the solution of salt into water is an aqueous solution.

II. Non-aqueous solution:

Solution which does not possess water as media or solvent is known as non-aqueous solution. Different organic solvents and acids are used as a solvent in non-aqueous solutions to dissolve the given solute.

According to state of solute and solvent solutions can be divided into divergent types which are summarized in table 1.

Table: 1. Types of solutions depending upon the states of solute and solvent 


 

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