In a solution, which statement correctly describes the solute and the solvent?

In a solution, which statement correctly describes the solute and the solvent?

• A. The solute is the substance dissolved; the solvent is the substance doing the dissolving.
• B. The solute is the substance doing the dissolving; the solvent is the substance dissolved.
• C. Both solute and solvent dissolve in each other equally.
• D. The solvent is the substance dissolved; the solute is doing the dissolving.

Answer: (A)

In a solution, the solute is the substance that gets dissolved, and the solvent is the substance that does the dissolving. This is why a teaspoon of salt mixed into water forms a solution: salt is the solute, water is the solvent. Water is typically the solvent because it’s the substance present in the larger amount and serves as the medium that carries the dissolving action. The idea that the solute does the dissolving or that both substances dissolve in each other equally doesn’t match how solutions form, since the solute is the thing being dissolved and the solvent is what does the dissolving. Thus, the description that the solute is dissolved and the solvent does the dissolving is correct.

In a solution, the solute is the substance that gets dissolved, and the solvent is the substance that does the dissolving. This is why a teaspoon of salt mixed into water forms a solution: salt is the solute, water is the solvent. Water is typically the solvent because it’s the substance present in the larger amount and serves as the medium that carries the dissolving action. The idea that the solute does the dissolving or that both substances dissolve in each other equally doesn’t match how solutions form, since the solute is the thing being dissolved and the solvent is what does the dissolving. Thus, the description that the solute is dissolved and the solvent does the dissolving is correct.